Building Awards 2026 shortlists: Engineering Consultant of the Year

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 Engineering Consultant of the Year.

ADP Consulting, an Ayesa company

ADP Consulting has evolved from an entrepreneurial Melbourne start-up into an international consultancy of 350 employees, strengthened by its 2025 acquisiton by Ayesa Engineering. Its digital engineering service has cut costs by up to 80% and delivery times by half, while electrification, circular economy, whole-life carbon and climate adaptation advance sustainability. Family-friendly policies and clear career pathways support its people, alongside structured client feedback. More than £50,000 invested in social enterprises and community organisations underlines a consultancy combining innovation with purpose effectively.

AECOM

AECOM is tackling complex engineering challenges across data centres, energy, defence, aviation and social infrastructure. Its influence extends from government policy advice to major project delivery, while AI-enabled tools, carbon benchmarking and BIM-led safety management are reshaping how teams work. Client feedback is strong, with 8.6/10 likelihood to recommend and 8.7/10 likelihood to rehire. Environmental performance includes more than 17,000 tonnes of carbon saved at 10 Gresham Street in the City of London, alongside 17,000 hours of STEM outreach, pro bono initiatives, and volunteering.

Cundall

Cundall is pairing established engineering expertise with a sharper focus on sectors shaping the built environment, from energy and defence to data centres. Its data mapping service turns complex spatial information into practical insight, while an AI panel and centre of enablement support responsible innovation. Client satisfaction reached 8.5/10. Science-based carbon benchmarks underpin its zero carbon design 2030 target, complemented by graduate development, safety and knowledge-sharing that extend Cundall’s influence beyond individual projects across the built environment and infrastructure.

DACI Utilities Engineering Consultancy

DACI has built a rapidly growing consultancy around a simple proposition: solve infrastructure constraints before they become project-critical problems. Fee income rose from £4.15m to £6.32m, operating profit almost doubled and headcount reached 118, with 92% of work coming from repeat clients. Its early-stage engineering approach gives clients greater certainty on utilities, programme and cost, demonstrated through complex developments where early intervention avoided redesign, delays and regulatory risk. The DACI Academy supports technical consistency as the business expands, while design-stage risk management strengthens safety.

Davies Maguire

Davies Maguire has maintained a strong project portfolio in a difficult market, with fees from almost 70 projects and more than 70% of work coming from repeat clients. Its technically rigorous, commercially aware approach is particularly valuable on complex sites, retrofit and structural reuse, exemplified by award-winning 469 Bethnal Green Road. Early-stage embodied carbon benchmarking and a “reuse first” philosophy underpin its sustainability work. Meanwhile, junior-led marketing, staff task groups, mentoring and knowledge-sharing give employees genuine responsibility beyond projects. An 89% staff satisfaction score reflects a collaborative culture focused on quality, development and continuous improvement.

Harley Haddow

After 75 years, Harley Haddow combines sustained growth with a client-focused approach. Almost 80% of its work comes from repeat business, while expansion into new locations and disciplines has strengthened its offer. Net zero and decarbonisation account for 81% of current workload, with Claridge House in London’s Mayfair achieving a predicted 77% carbon reduction and Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) recognition. Investment in professional development, digital modelling and technical innovation is matched by community engagement, coupling commercial momentum with expertise in the low carbon transition for clients too.

IN2 Engineering

IN2 Engineering has built its reputation by combining specialist MEP, energy and sustainability expertise with the responsiveness of an independent consultancy. Two-thirds of its London workload comes from repeat clients, reflecting relationships built through consistent delivery. Projects range from natural ventilation at 1 Livonia Street in London’s Soho to estate-wide decarbonisation for Norfolk County Council, demonstrating practical low-carbon expertise. The IN2 Academy and almost 20 promotions show commitment to progression, while 96% employee pride points to a culture capable of supporting continued growth.

Informed Engineering

Informed Engineering is redefining infrastructure information management, treating data as an engineered asset rather than a by-product of delivery. Its lifecycle-driven approach brings structure, assurance and governance to complex programmes, helping teams make better decisions earlier and improve operational readiness. Its work across HS2, the Thames Tideway tunnel, London St Pancras Highspeed and Statera Energy has reduced co-ordination risk, strengthened handover and improved delivery certainty. On HS2, a 15-person team transformed as-built information into operational intelligence, while Tideway benefited from robust information requirements and handover frameworks.

Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald is responding to a difficult market by sharpening its sector focus while using AI, digital tools and global delivery centres to improve productivity and outcomes. Its partnership approach extends across clients and suppliers, underpinned by feedback and responsible procurement. Investment in clearer career pathways, technical learning and global knowledge-sharing strengthens capability. Sustainability sits within a net zero 2040 ambition, while a zero-harm culture reinforces safety and wellbeing. Its social value management certification demonstrates social value embedded in decisions.

OFR Consultants

OFR Consultants is redefining the role of fire engineering in construction, taking specialist expertise beyond design to support safer delivery and Building Safety Act compliance. Revenue grew 12%, while investment in CFD modelling and data security strengthens technical capability, alongside apprenticeships and graduate development. Its portfolio spans healthcare, residential and infrastructure, including the Countess of Chester Women & Children’s Building and Octagon Birmingham. It collaborated to produce the UK’s first Commercial Timber Guidebook, underlining a wider industry contribution for the sector.