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CIOB Awards winners revealed
CM Staff
Construction Manager of the Year Joe O'Connell (centre), with CIOB president Michael Yam (left), and TV presenter Anita Rai
Kier Construction's Joe O'Connell MCIOB has been named Construction Manager of the Year at the CIOB Awards, which recognised more than 20 individuals and teams from across the industry.
TV and radio personality Anita Rani presented the awards at a black-tie event in London last night (28 September).
The CIOB presented the awards in front of around 600 guests at the Grosvenor Hotel in the capital. More than 20 individuals and organisations won recognition for their roles in some of the most challenging construction projects, ranging from new schools, leisure centres, offices and homes.
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Rebecca Lovelace (centre) won the EDI Individual award, presented for the first time this year
For the first time awards were also given specifically for sustainability and equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I), reflecting two of the biggest challenges currently facing the construction industry.
The most coveted award of the night, Construction Manager of the Year, was presented to Joe O’Connell MCIOB for his work on Exeter’s St Sidwell’s Point Leisure Centre.
O'Connell was chosen following his management of the £44m project, which opened in April this year and was the first ultra-low carbon leisure centre in the UK. Its design means its energy costs are around 70% less than a more traditional leisure centre. The CIOB judges singled out O'Connell for his management of the large-scale project in a challenging city centre location.
O'Connell said: “It’s a privilege to have been shortlisted for the award, let alone win it, and it’s all very unexpected. To have your professionalism recognised by other professionals from within your industry means a great deal and an award from CIOB is something to be really proud of.”
CMYA Refurb and Restoration Silver – Francisco Javier Fernandez Nuevo
CMYA Residential and Accommodation Gold – Stephen Pedro
CMYA Residential and Accommodation Silver – Kevin Larkin
CMYA Secondary Schools Gold – Ed Dwight
CMYA Secondary Schools Silver – Mark Turner
The CIOB Awards, formerly the Construction Manager of the Year Awards, first started in 1978 and celebrate the individuals behind construction projects of all sizes. They include residential buildings as well as those used for education, business, healthcare and leisure. They have provided a springboard for many careers with winners going on to work on iconic landmarks like Canary Wharf and The Shard.
Caroline Gumble, CEO at CIOB, said: “The range of talent on display at this year’s awards has been truly inspirational and it’s wonderful to see so many examples of leadership and a focus on delivering a high-quality built environment. Our congratulations go to all our winners who are making a difference to others within the built environment sector and the communities they build for.”
The November/December 2025 issue of Construction Management magazine is now available to read in digital format.
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