CIOB: Britain's finest construction manager 2009

Wednesday, 28 October 2009 12:00 AM

For a true test of management mettle forget the boardroom and take a closer look at the UK's major construction projects. This is the message from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) who today announce that David Wilson from Shipley, West Yorkshire has won the coveted title of 'Construction Manager of the Year 2009'.

For over thirty years the Construction Manager of the Year Awards (CMYA) has been recognising and rewarding excellence in management of the built environment. It is the only industry event to celebrate the individual achievement and leadership of managers in construction, rather than the projects, processes or design.

David, who works for Morgan Ashurst, was awarded gold medal in the 'New Build and Refurbishment £7 - 10 million' category, and the overall title of 'Construction Manager of the Year'; beating more than 120 other finalists from across the UK in 12 different categories. His project was to manage the £9 million development of De Grey Court at York St John University. This involved the construction of a three-storey teaching block and the refurbishment of two Grade II listed houses, all within 68 weeks and before the start of the new academic year. Late delivery was simply not an option.

Speaking about his achievement David said, "Since starting my career in construction 20 years ago as a management trainee I have always looked up to managers who could run large, complex construction projects. I feel with the successful completion of the York St John University scheme I can now apply to join the ranks of those managers."

The University project brief, which was three years in the making, aimed to provide an exciting contemporary building which acknowledged the site's prominence and offered the opportunity to improve links between the city and the University.

Chris Blythe CIOB Chief Executive commented, "The judges had a feeling they were about to interview someone extraordinary when they heard the client had delayed his annual holiday just to support the project manager during his interview for CMYA. They weren't wrong.

"David ate up the challenging technical and logistical problems presented by this high profile scheme. He engaged and led every facet of this complex and wonderfully delivered project, gaining the respect and confidence of every stakeholder. In the process the hard-to-impress client considers him the benchmark for construction management. By winning CMYA 2009 that view has been shared by his peers in the industry, and he now joins a very select few to have won such great acclaim."

CMYA is recognised as the benchmark for the industry and the premier accolade for management in the built environment. To be held in such esteem requires a judging process of the highest standard. It takes thirty judges six months of meticulous site visits and interviews (including the nominee, client and contractors) before the overall winner can be decided upon.

For further information and to view David Wilson's story in full please go to the CMYA website

Sponsors of this years awards include: Glenigan, COINS, Hays Construction, Hill International, IHS, The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and CIOB Insurance Services.

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