Excel Events is delighted to bring together our Northern Housing, Midlands Housing and Southern Housing magazines, along with our Builder & Engineer title, to announce the results of the second annual Women in Construction Awards 2008. 6th March 2008.

It is over a year since Alan Johnson promised to invest £20 million on encouraging women into the construction industry, as one government attempt to manage the shortfall of professional skills in the industry. However, little has appeared to change on the ground as construction remains a male-dominated profession, with women still accounting for only approximately 10% of the construction workforce.

Through this night of celebration we were delighted to once again highlight these industry issues and to recognise and celebrate those who are making their mark on the industry.

Your host for the evening was Liz Cross, with guest speaker Claire Curtis Thomas MP and entertainment from comedian, Sarah Millican.

Claire Curtis-Thomas, the MP for Crosby, Merseyside, is the first woman professional engineer to enter the House of Commons in the history of the British Parliament.

Writer and comic Sarah performed her first stand-up gig in September 2004, and the following year was runner-up in both the Funny Women and So You Think You're Funny awards, as well as the BBC New Comedy Awards in 2006. She was also nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2006 Chortle Awards.


CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SHORTLISTED AND THE WINNERS: :

1. Best Apprentice/ New Starter of the Year
Sponsored by Construction Skills , presented by Nicola Thompson, Communications and Marketing Director,

The Nominees:

1) Anna Wong – G & J Seddon
2) Hollie Webb – Weaver Vale Housing Trust
3) Mariam Arshad – Emanuel Whittaker - WINNER
4) Jade Travis – Connaught Partnerships
5) Faye Peate & Kirsty Walton/joint entry ( twins ) - Hilti

2. Best Training Scheme
Sponsored by First Move Construction, presented by Gus Mackenzie, Operations Director, Excel Publishing

The Nominees:

1) Bespoke Consultants
2) Home Housing National Operations Division
3) Dave Luck Ltd – Apprenticeship Scheme
4) Fusion 21 Skills Programme - WINNER
5) Herbert T Forrest – Power Wave

3. Achievement On Site

Sponsored by Excel Publishing Company Ltd, presented by Patrick Rafter, Managing Director

The Nominees:
1) Rachel Smith – Gentoo Construction - WINNER
2) Laura Davison – Cruden Property Services
3) Jenna Hodgkins – Southdale Homes
4) Emma O’Brien- Gentoo Construction
5) Caroline Mcleod - Constructioncare

4. Bringing Women into the Industry Initiative
Sponsored by Hill McGlynn, presented by Steven Carr

The Nominees are:
1) Bradford Community Housing Trust – ‘ Building Construction apprenticeship programme’
2) Stonham & SOVA – ‘ Gender on the agenda’ interactive CD
3) South Livepool Housing – ‘ Developing a gender balanced workforce’
4) Frank Haslam Milan – ‘ Building for success’
5) David Mclean – ‘Equal opportunities employer initiative’- WINNER

5. Outstanding Professional/Consultant of the Year
Sponsored by Wates Living Space, presented by Ian Burnett, MD

The Nominees:
1) Emmy Hill – The Vinden Partnership - WINNER
2) Gemma Medland - Northcroft
3) Sarah Cary – Turner & Townsend
4) Victoria Finn – Parkway Green Housing Trust 5) Anna Matsson – Turner & Townsend

6. Outstanding Performance Award
Sponsored by Bovis Land Lease, presented by Tony Lanshan, Head of Bovis Land lease UK North

The nominees:

1) Maggi Howard – Knowsley Housing Trust - WINNER
2) Rebecca Thompson - Yorkon
3) Pauline Hodson – Emanuel Whittaker
4) Janet Lord – Impact Manchester
5) Trudi Pesci – Hewden Services
6) Nicola Atkins - Carillion
7) Josie Chandler - Carillion
8) Sharon Crippes- Morgan Ashurst

7. Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented by Builder & Engineer Magazine & Northern, Midlands and Southern Housing magazines

THE WINNER: MIRANDA SEYMOUR-SMITH