Building Awards 2012 Personality of the Year: Sir John Armitt

Personality of the Year

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Sir John Armitt

What better way to celebrate the Olympic year than a victory for Sir John Armitt as personality of the year? As chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), Sir John hasbeen integral in ensuring the overwhelming success of the development and delivery of the 2012 Games and has backed the UK construction industry every step of the way. Since joining the ODA in September 2007, Sir John has overseen the development of venues both on and off Olympic park and the accompanying infrastructure with a calm, collected authority and one that has instilled great faith in those working on the project and the wider industry. His ability to command such far reaching respect is cemented by his vast knowledge and experience in the construction sector. After starting his career at John Laing he spent 27 years at the company before moving on to become chief executive of Union Railways where he was responsible for delivering the Channel Tunnel Rail link. Other roles, including being at the helm of Costain and Railtrack, which then became Network Rail, have added to Sir John’s unrivalled CV which is bursting with contractor and client experience.

An industry stalwart and one of construction’s most applauded clients, this is not just a timely, but a thoroughly deserved win.