Preston Firm Beats World Class Opposition

Preston health and safety company Aegis beat some world class businesses to take the runner up position at a prestigious national awards ceremony last night, when the UK’s top building and engineering organisations gathered for a glittering ceremony at Manchester’s Palace Hotel.

A premier event in the construction industry calendar, the 2010 Builder and Engineer Awards were open to companies of all sizes and the awards categories covered every facet of construction and engineering achievement and enterprise.

Tim Hudson, of Preston-based company Aegis, was put forward for the ‘Construction Design and Management (CDM) Co-ordinator of the Year Award’ for his work with the firm’s largest customer, BAE Systems.

BAE Systems nominated Tim after the successful construction at Samlesbury of the first phase of a new machining facility for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The judges were on the lookout for a co-ordinator who continuously strives to improve the construction industry’s health and safety record by liaising with everybody on site.

Tim, technical director at Aegis, leads one of the North’s largest teams of independent CDM Co-ordinators (formerly known as planning supervisors).

Commenting on his achievement, he said: “Whilst I am disappointed not to have won, I am still pleased to have got so near to the ultimate accolade.

“In getting so close we at Aegis also recognise the significance of BAE Systems’ own input and commitment to achieving the highest health and safety standards.”

Aegis boss David Walker added: “It is a prestigious award and we were hopeful of winning, even though the final shortlist comprised major international companies.

“In the event we finished runners-up to Arup, the largest professional engineering company in the world. It was a near miss, but we are proud of doing so well and we are thrilled with Tim’s achievement. To be recognised in such illustrious company is further recognition of the success of our thriving health and safety business.”

The award was sponsored by the national trade magazine ‘Builder & Engineer’. The panel of distinguished judges included the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Association for Project Safety (APS).

Case Study: CDM Co-ordination (610 Building, BAE Systems)