Partnership Initiative of the Year

Avove and Ecofill Group
Management for Vyrnwy Aqueduct Modernisation Programme

Avove and Ecofill Soil Management for Vyrnwy Aqueduct Modernisation Programme (VAMP). In collaboration with Ecofill, Avove has brought innovative and sustainable design and delivery techniques to the forefront of the industry. This project represents a pioneering collaboration bringing innovative pipeline cleaning and soil management into construction. By introducing smart and unique soil treatment methods, the partnership has set new standards in efficiency, sustainability, and community impact, notably reducing carbon emissions, water use, and social disruption. This initiative advances the water sector and also propels the UK construction industry towards sustainable practices, demonstrating exceptional integration of cutting-edge technologies.

Balfour Beatty, Mott MacDonald, AtkinsRéalis and Jacobs
The Strategic Design Partnership 2.0

The Strategic Design Partnership (SDP2.0) was launched in June 2023 and brings together Balfour Beatty with AtkinsRéalis, Jacobs and Mott MacDonald to deliver a one team approach to design and project delivery. Beyond the day-to-day work, four working groups have been formed to leverage the knowledge and capability of the partners to focus on improving project delivery over the five-year span of the SDP2.0. In the first year, each partner has invested 1,100 working hours into these working groups to drive better outcomes for schemes delivered through the partnership and move beyond a transactional arrangement.

Carmichael Site Services
The Carmichael UK Inclusive Recruitment Model at HS2

As part of its inclusive recruitment model, CarmichaelUK, has been pioneering a Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) scheme at EKFB. The ROTL model involves outreach work in local prisons to educate those due for release on the career and upskilling opportunities available on the project and is a team initiative between four parties. This initiative has significantly contributed to the integration of the project within the local community and has demonstrated true collaboration between the project teams. The ROTL model is leaving a legacy, improving the lives of local people, and reducing the levels of reoffending amongst ex-offenders.

Eiffage Kier Ferrovial BAM JV
C23 Strategic Partners

EKFB and its strategic partners have developed strong relationships through planned collaborative engagement and fully integrating its supply chain into its Supplier Relationship Management Programme – a programme which promotes supply chain excellence and a legacy in supporting SMEs reach their full potential. A key part of the ECI stage development was to have its workforce embedded within EKFB’s engineering, design and estimating teams, developing the target cost, meeting design challenges, and advising on methodology – as one team. EKFB has successfully managed considerable inflation risk with its supply chain to further support its strategic partners through challenging industry issues.

Gratte Brothers and Cundall
Early Inception Collaboration at 21 Moorfields

21 Moorfields is a flagship, high-specification office development situated over London’s Moorgate underground and rail station. Providing approximately 55,000m² of prime office space across 14 floors, the development is supported by a substantially resilient services strategy, normally only seen in data centres. It has a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, LEED Gold ratings and is WELL ready and will serve as Deutsche Bank's new UK and European headquarters. The team behind it, design and contractor teams taken in at PCSA stage, embraced a truly collaborative approach to forge engineering solutions to this incredibly complex building.

Heathrow Airport
Cargo Tunnel Refurbishment Project – Heathrow and Mace

By adopting and building on the best practices of Project 13, Heathrow and Mace have formed a partnership to enhance and optimise the delivery of a road tunnel refurbishment project within the airport’s airside environment. From collaborative working during early design stages to joint decisions while procuring the latest technology to streamline the flow of data throughout the project lifecycle and asset life, this partnership has become a flagship model for future delivery projects at Heathrow. This has been strengthened further through challenging events during the delivery, seeing Mace providing additional support to resolve external issues alongside the client.

National Grid
The Great Grid Partnership, UK Energy Transition

The UK is facing a huge transition in the energy sector. In response to the UK supply chain and skill shortage, National Grid Strategic Infrastructure have launched a pioneering ‘enterprise model’ with seven supply chain partners to form the Great Grid Partnership, a £9bn supply chain framework supporting infrastructure projects to connect 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 and beyond. The Partnership supports supply chain capacity and collaboration across best practice and skills, benefiting consumers and the wider UK economy.

Zed Pods and Ashford Borough Council
Fortis House

In partnership with Ashford Borough Council (ABC), ZED PODS have designed and currently constructing “Fortis House” – a 23 high-quality, highly energy-efficient, modular homes built above a steel podium on a council-owned public car park located in Flood Zone 3A area. This is the first-of-its-kind zero-carbon MMC-led project built in Flood Zone area, and also ABC’s first scheme embracing digital construction. By working closely together, this project has been instrumental in the success of the project including smoother planning submissions, approval from the Environmental Agency, rigorous quality control during the manufacturing process, and funding approvals from the Homes England.