A mind blowing evening ...

By Martin Spring and Martin Spring Martin Spring2007-04-27T00:00:00+01:00

Some 1,850 building industry professionals descend into the Great Hall of London’s Grosvenor House hotel for the annual Building Awards

Winners of all 21 awards gather together at the end of the presentation ceremony

Benny Kelly, construction director of Sir Robert McAlpine, was named Personality of the Year, while his company won three other awards

Geoff Wright, former development director of Hammerson, picks up the Client of the Year award

John Dodds of Kier (left), Chief Executive of the Year, with his award’s sponsor, Richard Whittington of KPMG

Paul Morrell of Davis Langdon was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the industry

The competition continues after the ceremony with a game of pool

Paul Hodgkinson, chairman and chief executive of Simons Construction

One of three magicians demonstrates his skills in the ballroom

John Price, managing director of Keltbray (right)

Daniel Rea of Arup is Construction Skills Achiever of the Year

The team of Kingspan Insulated Panels, Manufacturer of the Year, celebrate

After the presentation, the revellers move to the ballroom

The Birmingham Construction Partnership came out top as Integrated Supply Chain of the Year

Rob Smith received the Consultant/Surveyor of the Year award on behalf of Davis Langdon

Impressionist Rory Bremner added a political note to the evening

Francis Ives (right) of Cyril Sweett was indeed dreaming of a car, as imagined by illusionist Derren Brown, but it was a speedier model

Even if you didn’t win an award, you could always change your luck at the roulette wheel ...

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Derren Brown added his mystifying presence to last week’s construction industry Oscars

Every week Building provides editorial coverage of the entire UK construction industry, and last Wednesday it seemed to be entertaining most of it too.

A record 1,850 people attended the 13th annual Building Awards ceremony on 18 April, filling the Great Room and two balconies of London’s Grosvenor House hotel.

The star of the show was Sir Robert McAlpine, which collected four awards. The firm picked up the Major Contractor of the Year and the Constructing Excellence award, and Benny Kelly (right), its construction director, was named Personality of the Year. It also walked away with the new Building Project of the Year award for the spectacular and remarkably trouble-free construction of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Other winners were John Dodds of Kier, who was named Chief Executive of the Year, and Paul Morrell, a former senior partner of Davis Langdon, who was rewarded for his outstanding contribution to the industry. Another 14 contractors, housebuilders, consultants, projects, individuals and clients scooped up awards, showcasing a multitude of talents.

The evening’s entertainment was provided by political impressionist Rory Bremner and illusionist Derren Brown, while a charity raffle raised over £20,000 for the Construction Youth Trust.

The entries all demonstrated spectacular feats of design, construction and engineering and the highest standards of sustainability. As Building’s editor Denise Chevin said: “In a year when construction hasn’t received the best headlines, the Building Awards remind us that there’s plenty to celebrate.”