2005 witnessed the first occasion where any of the Byrne companies have entered their employees into the industry accredited CIOB Construction Manager of the Year Awards.

 Ellmer Construction entered two employees, Colin Caddy (Lakeside Shopping Centre) and Joe Halpin (Queen Elizabeths Foundation Center) after recognising, again the outstanding levels of skill, leadership and dedication shown by both men and the project teams assisting them.

Colin Caddy was nominated for the major role he played as Senior Project Manager on the £24m 'total store refreshment' at the Lakeside Shopping Centre at Thurrock. Leslie Jones architects nominated Colin who in turn was backed up with a very strong citation from Capital Shopping Centres. The works, 95% of which were completed at night, were completed 'on budget and on time'. Some interesting facts concerning the project - the project consisted of 40,000 work shifts (averaging 100 operatives per night), 88,000 floors tiles, 2,600 light fittings, 720 linear metres of balustrading, 450,000 linear metres of cabling, 600 square metres of new glass and 600 new seats. The team of judges have attended site for an inspection and to interview Colin, we are very proud to announce that Colin has been short listed and has made the final for the Category 'Refurbishment and fit out between £10-£30M'.

Joe Halpin was nominated for the outstanding dedication and smooth running of the refurbishment works undertaken at the Queen Elizabeths Foundation Centre, Leatherhead, Surrey. Joe overcame the tight programme and even tighter budget constraints to deliver a project to the very highest of standards whilst making many friends, including staff and residents, along the journey. Having been nominated by a trustee of the development centre Joes heartwarming citation was provided by the QEFD themselves, they even attended the interview process to lend their support. The project touched the hearts of all involved, the level of care provided by the staff and more especially the students themselves provided daily motivation, combined with Joes 'no problem' philosophy and his ever present smile, it ensured the project was an enjoyable experience for all involved. The works undertaken at the QEFD were completed 'on time and on budget', we are proud to announce that Joe has also been short listed and made the final for the category 'Refurbishment and Fit Out Under £3M'.

Byrne Group would like to congratulate Colin Caddy and Joe Halpin on reaching the final stages of the Construction Manager of the Year Awards and again wish them luck at the finals which take place on the 25 October at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane.

August 2005