Contractor of the Year (turnover under £500m)

Careys

Since January 2024, Careys has made huge investments in plant and equipment, increased staff development, launched an initiative to boost industry skills, developed a new integrated sustainability roadmap and undergone a process of digitalisation. All of this has been with the aim of achieving its overarching strategic goals: to be a great place to work, to achieve operational excellence, and to be the partner of choice. The result of this commitment to improvement can be seen in the successful delivery of an array of projects that required the highest quality of work, collaboration, innovation and a focus on sustainable practices.

Clancy

In Clancy’s 66 years as a family-run contractor, 2024 was the best yet. We delivered exceptional work to accelerate our and clients’ investments through our commitment to people, innovating delivery and investing in technology for a more sustainable industry. This included delivering a project deemed “unbuildable” by other contractors. Our strategy is underpinned by our focus on financial stability and remaining an independent, long-term infrastructure partner. We saw record financial results, supporting our ability to operate without borrowing and positioning us strongly for the years to come. This confidence secured several key appointments across water, energy and major capital programmes.

Gilbert-Ash

It’s been another stellar year for Gilbert-Ash as the company delivered an outstanding portfolio of projects across multiple sectors.2024 brought a Stirling Prize shortlisting for the firm’s exemplary work on the largest ever refurbishment of the National Portrait Gallery. The year also saw Gilbert-Ash achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating for one of its projects, something less than 1% of UK non-domestic buildings manage.Highlighting how its people are Gilbert-Ash’s best asset, the firm launched its own internal awards. The Make Your Mark Awards, now an annual feature, celebrate the outstanding work which goes on across the company.

Hochtief-Murphy Joint Venture

HOCHTIEF-MURPHY Joint Venture (HMJV) has set the benchmark of world class complex infrastructure delivery over three decades. Having built its own brand and reputation based around on-time and within-budget delivery with CTRL Contract 320 and Crossrail’s C310 Thames Tunnels, it continues to push the art of the possible on National Grid’s flagship LPT Phase 2 scheme. Through its “One Team, One Spirit” ethos, HMJV enables lean, collaborative and empowered teams to consistently outperform client and stakeholder project outcomes with innovative solutions whilst leaving a positive legacy, as well as effectively mitigating key project risks.

Kilnbridge

Over the past 12 months, Kilnbridge has successfully transitioned from a midsize operative to a major player among specialist Building and Civil Engineering subcontractors. By pursuing opportunities that allow it to strategically deploy its in-house structural services and fabrication specialist services alongside its civil engineering and design capabilities, and by embedding its transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structure, it is ensuring sustainable growth. The success of this strategy is self-evident. Having delivered its largest and most complex packages in its 30+ year history during the period; Kilnbridge is on track for its best-performing year ever in 2025.

Kori Construction

Kori Construction are a small contractor with a big impact. Our performance in 2024 was exceptional, marked by significant financial growth, high customer and employee satisfaction, strong sustainability performance, and the delivery of outstanding buildings, solidifying our position as the leading player in the later-living sector. By living our values, we continue to:- Deliver Exceptional for the clients and communities we serve. - Think Differently - promoting autonomy and innovations to provide unique delivery solutions.- Be Driven by Ambition with a determination to be the best and provide clients an industry-leading experience.

Miller Knight

Miller Knight, a leading multi-discipline contractor in the East Midlands, have achieved remarkable growth, reaching a £50m turnover in 2024 - a 33% increase from the previous year. Renowned for regional regeneration, refurbishment, and facilities management, and national remedial fire services. Our commitment to compliant solutions has earned repeat business from prolific clients, Bellway Homes, Railpen, and universities across the UK. Expansion into regeneration expertise and significant flagship projects, such as £17m fire remediation works, highlighting their versatility. As the company looks ahead to 2025, they strive to uphold excellence, quality, and a commitment to generating compliant solutions.

Novus Property Solutions

Over the course of 2024, Novus has successfully managed diverse multi-million-pound projects, demonstrating resilience, technical excellence, and outstanding performance levels. Our proactive problem-solving, adaptability to client needs, and unwavering focus on quality and innovation have led to repeat business and long-term partnerships with some of the UK’s most prestigious organisations.Our commitment to social value is deeply embedded in our approach, by actively engaging with local stakeholders, prioritising sustainability, and investing in initiatives that create lasting positive impacts.Winning this award would recognise the collective effort of our dedicated teams and the exceptional outcomes we deliver for our clients.

Taylor Woodrow

Ahead of 2024, Taylor Woodrow underwent strategic transformation to enhance our self-delivery capabilities and focus on emerging energy markets, supporting Net Zero. By 2024, we achieved a market-leading margin (>4%), a five-fold increase in turnover from energy projects, self-delivery of 50% of regional and 40% of major projects, and have expanded our engineering offerings with the launch TAYWOOD Engineering. The changes to our operations have significantly improved delivery efficiency, productivity, and commitment to health, wellbeing, and sustainability. Our engineering excellence, innovation, and strong partnerships, benefit our projects and our clients, making us Contractor of the Year 2025.