In a series celebrating the Building Awards finalists, we look at the shortlist for Major Contractor of the Year (over £500m), sponsored by Fenwick Elliott
Earlier this year Building announced the names of all the firms that made it onto the shortlists for our prestigious annual Building Awards.
Now we are shining the spotlight on each category in turn and publishing a selection of the images that impressed the judges.
Today’s shortlist is for the Major Contractor of the Year (over £500m), sponsored by Fenwick Elliott.
Kier Group
Kier Group has been building vital UK infrastructure for nearly 100 years, powered by the innovation and problem-solving of its 10,000 people. With around 400 live projects, Kier is shaping the future across energy, water, transport, construction and regeneration.
Recent highlights include collaborating with X-energy and Cavendish Nuclear on next-generation reactors, delivering the UK’s first large-scale retrofit SuDS flood resilience programme in Mansfield and trialling carbon-saving vegetation reuse with National Highways.
Kier’s Construction business continues to expand its Passivhaus portfolio, creating schools where pupils thrive, while digital twins transformed delivery at HMP Millsike.
Through long-term partnerships such as Watford Riverwell, Kier is regenerating communities with lasting social value. Meanwhile its Making Ground programme supports prison leavers into employment, and it helps inspire the next generation by participating in Open Doors.
With a culture that champions innovation, inclusion and wellbeing, Kier continues to deliver essential infrastructure – sustainably, collaboratively and with community impact at its heart.
Mace
In 2024, Mace delivered a year defined by scale, innovation and impact. Completing 27 projects, securing 48 new commissions and growing its workforce to over 2,000, the business demonstrated that purpose-led delivery and operational excellence go hand in hand.
Mace’s portfolio spans high-rise, life sciences, infrastructure and urban regeneration projects, including 40 Leadenhall, Begbroke Science Park and urbanest Battersea.
Innovation was central, with construction-to-production knowledge libraries, offsite MMC solutions reducing embodied carbon by 9%, and faster programmes achieved at scale.
Sustainability remained a core principle, with landmark Passivhaus projects, circular construction initiatives and carbon-saving strategies embedded across sites.
People and communities were prioritised through 1,200 mental health awareness sessions, as well as diversity initiatives and apprenticeships, and with £933m in social value delivered.
Client satisfaction reached 87%, with an 80% repeat order rate. Mace’s 2024 performance showcases bold, sustainable and human-centred construction, delivering lasting impact through design, innovation and collaboration.
Join us for the 2025 edition of the Building Awards
This year’s event will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 4 November.
There are 22 awards being handed out, so make sure you are in the room for construction’s night of nights and to celebrate excellence.
Tickets are selling fast, so secure your place today.
Multiplex
In 2024, Multiplex continued to shape city skylines through technical excellence, innovation and sustainability. Delivering three landmark projects, the business focused on early client engagement to advise on net zero strategies, unlock programme efficiencies and reduce carbon.
Key achievements included 75 London Wall, 50 Fenchurch Street, 72 Upper Ground and 99 City Road, where innovative structural solutions and offsite DFMA manufacturing improved efficiency, minimised embodied carbon and optimised logistics.
Multiplex pioneered industry-first tools such as the facade embodied carbon calculator, material passports, and electric arc furnace metal decking, alongside semi-autonomous M&E installation robots and CFD modelling to enhance safety and productivity.
Sustainability remained central, with low carbon fuels, electrified equipment, and the UK’s first solar PV farm at Norfolk delivering 9,000MWh annually.
People, skills and wellbeing were prioritised through apprenticeships, graduates, work placements, scenario-based leadership training and mental health initiatives.
By combining innovation, sustainability and human-centred delivery, Multiplex strengthened client satisfaction, enhanced community impact and reinforced its position as a forward-thinking construction partner.
Skanska UK
In 2024, Skanska UK achieved growth through strategic diversification, integrated delivery and a strong focus on customer outcomes.
The business leveraged its unique London model and specialist capabilities via SRW and Cementation Skanska to deliver projects efficiently, maintaining exceptional quality and cohesion across the programme.
People and inclusivity were central, with initiatives such as the Develop Your Potential programme, Catalyst leadership development, and Active Bystander workshops, fostering a culture where all employees feel valued.
Knowledge-sharing was enhanced via the Learn Fast app, accelerating best practice adoption.
Customer satisfaction was supported by rigorous engagement, independent surveys and a dedicated customer experience team, with Skanska achieving a Net Promoter Score of +38. All operating units carefully analyse detailed feedback to develop action plans addressing customer priorities.
Sustainability remained a priority, with ongoing net zero targets, BREEAM and WELL certifications, and cross-industry initiatives such as hydrogen fuel trials.
Willmott Dixon
Willmott Dixon has demonstrated resilience and innovation, delivering landmark projects while advancing sustainability, people development and customer satisfaction.
Strategic long-term frameworks ensured stability, with over half of the workload coming from repeat clients.
Notable projects include TBC.London, retaining and repurposing an existing concrete frame to reduce embodied carbon, Eclipse Leisure Centre, the UK’s largest Passivhaus-certified sports centre, and Silverwood School, generating green electricity through over 1,000 PV panels.
People and inclusivity were central, with 48% of management trainees women, over 10% in earn-and-learn schemes, and Platinum recognition from The 5% Club and Investors in People. Training and leadership were nationally recognised, including CIOB Construction Manager of the Year.
Customer satisfaction is embedded through co-created social value plans, post-completion reviews and award-winning delivery.
Sustainability leadership includes a 57% reduction in absolute carbon since 2018, a £900m net zero project order book, and top 2% CDP environmental disclosure.
Social value and health, safety and wellbeing remain integral, creating long-term community impact.
No comments yet