Construction Manager of the Year crowned
Galliford Try’s Barry Kingscote has been crowned Construction Manager of the Year for his work on a tricky demolition and reconstruction job at Marble Arch in central London.
He fended off competition from more than 85 finalists across 13 different categories to claim the top prize following his project to develop a unique office space (see project details below).
Kingscote described the project as the most complex of his construction career which spans more than 40 years.
He said: “I can’t put the feeling into words.
“To go against all these fantastic managers in so many fields and to come out on top is just so surprising. It’s an honour and I would like to congratulate everyone who has been recognised.”
Kingscote was awarded the accolade at the annual Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Awards on Tuesday night.
Other winners on the night included:
Construction Manager, High Rise Accommodation – Chris Warren, Willmott Dixon
Construction Manager, Low Rise Accommodation – Andrew Deacon, Linear Design & Construct
Construction Manager, Education – Jeremy Eavis FCIOB, Mace
Construction Manager, Public – Danial Moore MCIOB, Willmott Dixon
Construction Manager, Leisure and Healthcare – Ross Taylor MCIOB, Willmott Dixon
Construction Manager, Commercial – Barry Kingscote, Galliford Try
Construction Manager, Restoration – Jonathan Brock
Team Award – Barr Build, Ridgeley Farmhouse Team
Client Award – Ministry of Justice
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Team Award – BBVS
Sustainability Award – Saul Humphrey, Saul D Humphrey LLP (and Anglia Ruskin University)
Caroline Gumble, Chief Executive Officer at CIOB, said: “It was a wonderful evening, an inspiring and much-needed celebration of our sector. There is no doubt that there’s a real depth of talent among the UK’s built environment professionals, with some incredibly impressive projects making the list of finalists.
“It was great to see the awards go to a range of individuals and companies, all of whom are amazing examples of leadership and dedication, all delivering a high-quality built environment. Many congratulations to all our winners.”
Barry Kingscote’s winning project
Demolition and reconstruction of eight-storey building with retained facade, completed in 192 weeks.
Kingscote’s calmness, professionalism and enthusiasm for problem-solving drove success on a scheme that had trouble written all over it, with busy roads on the site perimeter, multiple party walls, a retained facade, and construction of a large second-level basement.
By challenging the design and championing cost- and programme-efficient solutions, Kingscote delivered value and innovation. He introduced a reinforced concrete core in place of steel, and blockwork in place of precast panels. Crucially, he formed the second level of the basement with secant piling rather than sheet, which reduced vibration and noise as well as complexity and cost by allowing part of the building load to be transferred through the new secant wall.
Equally transformational was Kingscote’s use of pile caps between the existing foundations for the facade retention structure. It allowed a slenderer pile design, and easier integration and coordination with the new structural steel frame. And once the frame was permanently connected to the facade, he added an array of 50 steel ‘needles’ to the retention structure to support four storeys of the facade while the shopfront was rebuilt.
Having essentially won this contract through the success of a previous £51m project for a customer that had never before operated as a lone client, Kingscote delivered another tour de force. Once again, the contractor has won repeat business – the fit-out on this project – largely in recognition of the added value he brought.