Celebrating excellence: 2024 Ground Engineering Awards winners announced

The winners of the 2024 GE Awards and the very first GE Workforce Awards were revealed at an in-person awards ceremony last night (19 June).

Close to 900 ground engineering professionals were gathered at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London to celebrate the industry’s achievements.

The evening's charity partner was RedR UK, which is an engineering and humanitarian focused international NGO that provides disaster relief.

The winners for all 23 categories are:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Hilary Skinner, Cowi

This was again a highly competitive category, with 17 high-calibre entries. It was an extremely difficult task to pick the winner as everyone on the list has had an impressive career and has made a significant contribution to the industry. In the end, the GE editorial team, together with input from industry leaders, chose Hilary Skinner as this year's Lifetime Achievement Award winner due to the breadth of her work experience over almost 30 years and her involvement in research, technical papers and guidance, as well as industry associations and conferences. Skinner is also extremely highly regarded by her peers for her warm character, positivity and tireless effort to mentor and encourage young engineers to develop their full potential. She is an outstanding geotechnical engineer and without doubt one of the finest of her generation.

Sponsored by Dywidag

Rising Star Award

Winner: Connor Caplen, Atkins Réalis

The judges said that Connor Caplen is an outstanding individual with strong interpersonal, leadership and technical skills. He demonstrates great business acumen, handling unforeseen on-site issues professionally and calmly. Particularly inspiring is his journey and his contributions to both the industry and local communities.

Highly commended: Milagros Guerrero Espino, Aecom & Cheng Wei Kwang, Mott MacDonald

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion

Winner: Hollie Taylor, Amey

The judges said Hollie Taylor is an inspiring young woman who persevered through challenges in shifting attitudes towards PPE, contributing to a more diverse workforce. Her initiative extends beyond Amey and has the potential to influence the entire industry. A true rising star to watch.

Highly commended: Ground & Water - Working towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality

Excellence in Learning and Development

Winner: RSK Geosciences - Training and development programme

According to the judges, RSK is commited to delivering excellence in learning and development through committing significant senior internal technical resources towards its initiative and the implementation of university learning techniques. The array of blended learning was impressive and inclusive.

Excellence in Outreach

Winner: Luisa Hendry aka the Scottish Geologist, Story Contracting

This initiative demonstrates real passion, drive and commitment to elevating the profile of ground engineering, geology and Earth sciences, the judges noted. Employing innovative approaches and platforms has helped engage with diverse audiences to inspire the next generation through accessible content. This individual has taken outreach to the next level.

Highly commended: Geotechnics - Bridging gaps and nurturing future talent

Graduate Programme of the Year

Winner: Fugro - UGro graduate development initiative

A well thought-out and delivered scheme, with excellent global leadership. The judges were impressed by the dedication to graduate development, emphasising the diverse skill set required for a modern engineer.

Highly commended: Mott MacDonald - Foundations and geotechnics graduate programme

Health and Safety Award

Winner: SB3 - Bachy Soletanche & Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering JV – People Plant Interface (PPI) campaign

The judges believe this initiative addresses a critical area needing improvement in health & safety by aiming to halve the number of incidents and injuries. It also has the potential to deliver lasting benefits from a major project by integrating it into routine practices across projects of any size.

Highly commended: Bam Ritchies - Nothing ventured, nothing trained

Sustainability Award

Winner: SB3 - Bachy Soletanche & Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering JV – Hub and cluster permitted bentonite treatment facility to enable reuse of materials within a project

A well-rounded project showing clear examples of all the sustainability key pillars – including educating others within a strong social aspect. The judges said the carbon savings and resource efficiency were well quantified and presented.

Highly commended: Graham - Cutting carbon through technology

Sponsored by Liebherr

Ground Investigation Project of the Year

Winner: Fugro, SSE Renewables, Cowi & Stantec - Coire Glas pumped hydro scheme

The judges said this nationally significant project pushes industry boundaries. Highlights include its contribution to future projects and geological understanding, a well-executed investigation on a challenging site, thoughtful ecological considerations with carbon measurement and notable sustainable practices.

Ground Investigation Specialist of the Year

Winner: Lankelma

According to the judges, the company has embraced the role of principal contractor, showcasing technical expertise and a collaborative approach to project completion and business development. It has also maintained strong community engagement and client relationships throughout.

Specialist Geotechnical Supplier of the Year

Winner: Acero Construction

The judges were impressed with Acero's dedication to supplying pre-vetted, qualified and competent site operatives. It is contributing to upskilling the industry and enhancing client outcomes. Acero's commitment to people is evident in its support for local communities and the diversity of its team.

Highly commended: Concept Engineering Consultants

Award for Digital Innovation

Winner: National Highways, Bam Ritchies & Aecom-Arup consortium - Enhancement of geotechnical asset inspections using Spot the dog (agile robotics)

The judges said that this is an innovative solution created through strong collaboration with Boston Dynamics The approach is data-driven and prioritises health and safety. The solution also shows promising potential for future applications.

Highly commended: Groundforce - YourSolution+

Award for Equipment Innovation

Winner: Marshall Drilling - Multi-purpose rotary drilling mast

The judges felt this entry outlines a rigorous research and product development process that led to an innovation with broad applications. It can enable a better understanding of the ground in challenging terrain. It provides safety improvements in a field where compliance with legislation is difficult, as well as realising cost and programme savings.

Award for Technical Excellence

Winner: GHD & Network Rail – Watford tunnel approach cutting: major earthwork management strategy

The judges believe that this is a great demonstration of a digital twin, which holds immense potential for future applications, resulting in a satisfied client. The solution effectively acknowledges the real challenges associated with data collection for site inspections.

International Project of the Year Award

Winner: Stantec - Coastal Gas Link pipeline construction: Innovative geotechnical solutions in remote mountainous terrain, British Columbia, Canada

An extremely challenging environment with significant geohazards was addressed with highly sophisticated, nature positive geotechnical design, project management and technology enabled agile working. The judges said the focus on mental health and safety and seamless collaboration with multiple stakeholders was exemplary.

Highly commended: Dywidag - Te Ara o Te Ata: Mount Messenger bypass project, New Zealand

UK Geotechnical Team of the Year

Winner: Network Rail Works Delivery Scotland, Amco Giffen Minor Works Scotland & Network Rail Scotland Asset - Scotland's Railway emergency response

The entry demonstrated outstanding long-term collaboration and teamwork in managing challenging emergency situations, necessitating swift yet calculated responses. The judges were impressed by the team's ability to adapt and address the difficult impacts of climate change on the operational railway.

Sponsored by Geoquip Marine

UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of up to £500k

Winner: Geobear, Surrey County Council & Ringway – A323 Aldershot Road: clay shrinkage stabilisation

The judges said the entry was a true example of innovation that involves using technology for an alternative application and delivering a cost-effective solution to a client, while achieving its most valued criterion: minimal disruption to the community.

UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of between £500k and £1M

Winner: Mott MacDonald Bentley - Newthorpe & Heanor Milnhay sewage treatment works AMP7 upgrades

In this project, the client was effectively persuaded to depart from standard practice. The judges said that by employing a back-to-basics and pragmatic approach, the team delivered a sustainable, value-engineered solution that could impact future projects with the client.

Highly commended: Network Rail & Baker Hicks - Geohazards assessments: Scotland’s Railway

Sponsored by Minova International

UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of between £1M and £3M

Winner: Menard - Horwich Rivington Chase Link Road

According to the judges, a range of techniques and an innovative ground improvement solution resulted in improved sustainability credentials for the scheme. The restrictive working environment required clear planning of works and management of H&S. There was also proactive community engagement with the council and local university.

Highly commended: Arup, Griffiths and Llywodraeth Cymru Welsh Government - A487 New Dyfi Bridge

UK Project with a Geotechnical Value over £3M

Winner: Cementation Skanska, John F Hunt & RKD - 1 Liverpool Street

A large variety of technical solutions was implemented on a very constrained site, facilitated by excellent collaboration between client, contractors and third-party asset holders. The judges said the decision to reuse piles presented a significant saving in programme and embodied carbon.

Sponsored by F Brazil Reinforcements

Contractor of the Year

Winner: Cognition Land and Water

The judges said that this carbon-neutral contractor demonstrated exceptionally high levels of perfomance. Its initiatives for staff recruitment and wellbeing were particularly noteworthy. It also showcased strong project delivery and technical innovation across multiple sites.

Sponsored by Acero Construction

Consulting Firm of the Year

Winner: Mott MacDonald

The judges were impressed by the strong business growth and project excellence showcased, along with robust engagement with clients and staff. The firm has demonstrated progress in health and safety reporting and is an industry leader for openly publishing its ethnic minority pay gap.

Highly commended: Baker Hicks

Sponsored by Fugro

Editor's Award

Winner: Bam Mott MacDonald JV - Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme

The judges said it was a large, complex and innovative project that used a variety of engineering solutions. It also incorporated strong sustainability elements that considered all of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. GE's editor agreed with the judges that there was a lot of thought and work put into choosing better and more robust solutions that demonstrate value engineering.

GE editor Nia Kajastie said: “After a rollercoaster of a year for the industry, it was lovely to be able to come together to celebrate the ground engineering sector and showcase its achievements.

“We received more than 320 submissions, making it another record-breaking year. We also launched the GE Workforce Awards, which were a great success.

“A big thanks goes to our expert judges, who went through two intensive stages of judging, including reviewing the 324 entries and participating in face-to-face and online presentations.

“Thank you also to our sponsors, supporters and partners for their continued support. And a huge congratulations to all the deserving winners and highly commended entries from the GE team!"

An awards special will be published in the GE August/September 2024 issue.

Read summaries of all of the winning, highly commended and shortlisted entries here.

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