Party time

This year's Building Services Awards ceremony drew a crowd of over 750 to see the industry's best rewarded for their efforts over the past 12 months. But winners or not, everyone who attended was treated to an evening to remember.

The revelry began with a gala dinner, where the wine and conversation flowed freely. And with Clive Anderson as compere, the witty banter didn't stop at the tables' edges.

Several new categories were added this year, representing the changes taking place in the industry, and a total of 16 awards were presented.

Clive Anderson started the official proceedings by introducing Karen Fletcher, editor of sister title Building Services Journal to present the consultancy-based prizes.

First to make the proud walk to the stage was Oscar Faber, this year's winner of the Large Consultancy of the Year category; the Consultancy of the Year award followed, the recipient being Sure Foundation Building Services; Major Project of the year was won by Crown House Engineering for Portcullis House; Project of the Year was won by Connell Mott MacDonald; and Beattie Flanigan & Partners were rewarded with the accolade for the Small Project of the Year.

The Lighting Project of the Year category was won by Maurice Brill Lighting Design for its scheme in Dubai's Burj Al Arab hotel; JDP picked up the Innovation of the Year award; the Environmental Initiative of the Year winner was Mott MacDonald.

The first recipient of the Training Award, a new category in 2001, was GlaxoSmithKline; and the E-business Strategy Award, another new category, was won by Buro Happold.

It was then the turn of the industry's contractors to be recognised and rewarded. EMC editor Andrew Brister stepped onto the stage to dish out the awards with a hearty dose of congratulations.

First up to collect an award was Haden Young, for the newly introduced category of Major m&e contractor of the year; the award for M&E Contractor of the Year came next, with Goodmarriott & Hursthouse taking the accolade, the judges being impressed with the company's forward-looking attitude and commitment to best practice. The Specialist Contractor of the Year award was won for an amazing fourth year in a row by Hall Fire Protection, the company's all-round performance and commitment to developing people keeping it ahead of the runners-up in the judging.

Two more awards new to this year were for Building Services Best Practice and International Achievement – these were collected by Oscar Faber and TME Design respectively.

The final award of the evening was perhaps also the most popular and keenly fought: the Apprentice of the Year. This year's winner was Ryan Craggs, an employee of ABB Building Technologies in Washington, Tyne & Wear. Ryan is currently studying for his Part 3 C certificate. His prize includes £500 and £500 of equipment. Ryan's college, New College Durham, will receive £1500 worth of equipment.

The post-ceremony entertainment came in the form of a casino. As well as proving a popular finale to the party, it also helped to raise valuable funds for two industry charities: the EEIBA and the CIBSE Benevolent Fund.

Congratulations to all the winners. And if you didn't get to this year's party, make sure that you don't miss out in 2002.