This autumn Sodexo UK & Ireland has been recognised at a number of industry awards covering its leadership in driving social mobility, commitment to nurturing talent and delivering exceptional experiences for its clients across different sectors. Sodexo won the Leadership of the Year award at the annual Social Mobility Awards, held on 6 October. It was recognised for embedding inclusive recruitment and progression into its core business model using the scale of 30,000 colleagues to both deliver impact and reshape employer practice. Through initiatives such as Starting Fresh and inclusive talent pathways, Sodexo is creating direct access to employment and progression for underrepresented groups. Sodexo’s Culinary Academy was highly commended at the awards in the Progressive Programme category. Sodexo also celebrated with two wins at the 2026 Foodservice Cateys, Sodexo Live! group executive development chef Ian Page won Chef of the Year and Laura Moorcroft, regional support manager for Sodexo at Colchester Garrison was awarded the Extra Mile award for developing a partnership with Essex Cares, a local charity which supports people with learning disabilities, autism and other neurodivergent conditions and creating positive, inclusive and enriching workplace experiences for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, providing them with genuine routes to employment. Last week Gary Broadhurst, contract retail development chef at Colchester Garrison won Higher Apprentice of the Year at the East of England regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards. Gary now progresses into the National final. Over the last month Sodexo teams have received recognition for delivering operational excellence for the company’s clients. This has included: Bill Buchan, HR Director, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “At Sodexo, our people are our greatest strength, and these awards showcase the impact they make every day. From helping individuals overcome barriers to employment and progression, to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service for our clients, our teams consistently live our values in action. Their commitment to improving quality of life, supporting communities and creating better everyday experiences for those we serve is what makes recognitions like these so meaningful. We couldn’t be prouder of what they have achieved together.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

the international Built Influence Awards programme for 2027 is officially launched and open for entries. Led by Senior Leader in the Built Environment sector, Gill Parker, the Built Influence Awards have been established with one clear purpose; to celebrate the people raising the standard of communications, championing the skill, judgement and creativity that elevates the companies they work with and for, as well as the entire Built Environment sector. The skill of communication has never been more challenging and complex, with more platforms, more noise and more ways to spend, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine impact. Whilst big budgets and impressive social numbers may catch the eye, but they do not always tell the full story with integrity. Great communications is about more than visibility, it is about relevance, influence and the value of expertly curated editorial in a crowded media landscape. The Built Influence Awards will shine a light on the true skill and talent in the built environment sector, across key sectors and disciplines. The carefully selected judging panel comprises key experts, including journalists and senior marketing professionals who are tasked with identifying the truly talented teams out there. Gill Parker, President of the Built Influence Awards and Chair of the judges comments: “I am incredibly excited to be launching this new and unique awards programme to recognise the talent within our sector. I began my career in marketing before moving into senior leadership within UK architecture and the wider built environment sector, as a result of which I have always advocated for marketing representation at the board level. Accurate and compelling storytelling is vital to driving business strategy, building trust, and unlocking an organization’s full potential. While our sector has not always been known for its marketing communications, we have witnessed monumental leaps forward in creativity and style. Marketing professionals are often the unsung heroes of our industry, and the Built Influence Awards provide a dedicated moment to recognise and celebrate this abundant excellence.” The experienced panel have a collective understanding on the different sectors and geographies, as well as being accomplished communicators, working for outstanding businesses. Closing date for entries is 20th November 2026, with judging taking place in January 2027. Winners will be announced in early March 2027. Please visit www.builtinfluenceawards.com and start planning your entry today. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, has been awarded an EcoVadis Platinum medal with an overall score of 88 out of 100, its highest score to date. Signify also received 100 out of 100 in the Environment theme. The Platinum medal places Signify among the top 1% of companies rated by EcoVadis during the preceding 12 months and marks the company’s seventh consecutive year of Platinum recognition. The overall score increased from 84 in the previous assessment. “Achieving a score of 100 for Environment is a result our teams can truly be proud of. It reflects the work taking place across Signify, from advancing energy-efficient LED lighting and connected systems that help customers reduce emissions to embedding circularity into product design through Signify Circle. Customers increasingly want clear evidence of how their partners manage sustainability. The EcoVadis assessment gives them greater transparency while helping us identify where we need to improve further,” said Maurice Loosschilder, Head of Sustainability at Signify. Signify’s Environment score reflects its comprehensive approach to climate action and circularity. The assessment highlighted Signify’s strengths in setting science-based environmental targets, improving energy efficiency, while using 100% renewable electricity and advancing circularity. It also recognized its strong environmental governance and product lifecycle programs that support repair, reuse, take-back and recycling. EcoVadis evaluates the quality of a company’s sustainability management system across 21 criteria, grouped into four themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. The overall score is based on the company’s policies, actions, and reported results, supported by documented evidence and external information. More than 150,000 businesses use EcoVadis’ sustainability ratings and related tools. The Platinum medal is awarded to companies ranked in the top 1% of all businesses rated by EcoVadis during the preceding 12 months. Full details of Signify’s EcoVadis recognition are available here: https://recognition.ecovadis.com/GRra9rOSlkSl5MhfgklKmA For more information about sustainability at Signify, please visit: https://www.signify.com/global/sustainability Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Lawson took charge of the family business in the early 1950’s at just 20 and remains actively involved at the age of 94. John Lawson, who has dedicated more than 70 years to his family’s business, builders’ merchant Lawsons, has been named the winner of the 2026 National Lifetime Achievement Award by Family Business United. John also received a Regional Lifetime Achievement Award at Family Business United’s annual Family Business Dinner in London, where ten individuals were recognised for their longstanding contribution to their family businesses. John was selected as the overall national winner and received a standing ovation from the family business community as he collected his award John took charge of Lawsons at the age of just 20 and has worked in the business for more than 70 years. He remains actively involved today at the age of 94. Lawsons was founded in 1921 as a timber merchant in Whetstone, north London, and is now the  largest independent timber, building materials, fencing and landscaping merchants in London and the South East, employing more than 700 people across around 35 branches. The judges selected John as the national winner from the regional recipients. A factor in their decision was a significant governance change made in April 2026, when John gifted his majority shareholding into an independent non-family employee benefit trust. The move reflected the family values that have shaped the business throughout John’s leadership and was designed to protect Lawsons’ independence and ensure its continuity for future generations. John Lawson, Founder and Director, Lawsons, said: “I am extremely honoured to receive this award. Lawsons has never been about one person. Everything we have achieved over the years has been possible because of the people who have worked alongside us and their families who have supported them. The mutual responsibility and interaction between the family and the business fosters relationships and lifelong friendships. Protecting that for the future and our people is very important to me, and I hope Lawsons will continue to provide opportunities and serve its customers and communities for many generations to come.” Paul Andrews, Managing Director, Family Business United, said: “John’s story stood out to the judges as an exceptional example of what building a family business is all about. His commitment to the people around him, the values that have guided Lawsons and the steps he has taken with his gift to fully preserve that legacy for Lawsons’ People and future generations embody the very spirit of this award. John is an inspirational figure in the family business community and a hugely deserving winner of the National Lifetime Achievement Award.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Sempra Homes are delighted to announce that they have been shortlisted in the Project of the Year category at the Government Property Awards, alongside Basildon Council, recognising the successful delivery of 166 new homes across three combined developments at Chapelgate, Broadmayne and Tyefields, in Basildon. Delivered through a strong public-private partnership, the developments have transformed underutilised brownfield sites to provide much-needed mixed tenure housing, alongside investment and improvements that benefit the wider local community. Melanie Keys, Services Manager for Sempra Homes, said: “Being shortlisted for a Government Property Award is a fantastic recognition of what has been achieved through these developments and the strength of the partnership behind them. “The success of these schemes demonstrates what can be achieved when partners work together to unlock challenging sites and deliver much-needed homes for local people alongside wider benefits to borough residents and businesses through the use of local supply chains, opportunities for local labour, training and apprentice placements.” Across the three developments, all affordable rent and shared ownership homes are now occupied, while more than 60% of private sale homes have been reserved or sold, demonstrating strong demand across the different tenures. The collaborative approach between Sempra Homes, Basildon Borough Council, Homes England, One Public Estate, South Essex Councils and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, The Hill Group and Site Ready Solutions has been central to bringing the three projects forward. Government funding helped unlock infrastructure, enabling the schemes to progress and provide a range of housing opportunities for local people. In addition, improvements to the wider community include the provision of new play and picnic areas, new footpaths and cycle lanes and improvements to open space areas with new tree and wildflower planting and biodiversity improvements. The Government Property Awards shortlist recognises projects that demonstrate excellence across the public sector property industry. The winners will be announced later this year. For further information, visit www.semprahomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

From Passivhaus to working at height; roofing to insulation; fire safety to solar integration, the new Building Envelope Stage at UK Construction Week Birmingham will offer visitors a practical and technical focus on the systems and materials that determine a building’s performance, safety, durability and energy efficiency. Bringing together contractors, manufacturers, specifiers and installers, the programme will explore the latest developments in roofing, cladding, insulation, facades and waterproofing, alongside key issues such as fire safety, regulation, retrofit and net zero delivery. Partnering with organisations such as the National Retrofit Hub and NFRC, topics covered on the Building Envelope Stage will include: Passivhaus at Scale: Why Major Housebuilders Are Embracing Higher Performance Standards; Healthy Homes: Building Fabric, Ventilation and Occupant Wellbeing; and Roofing for Net Zero: Design, Performance and Whole-Life Value. Stage highlights include: Tuesday 29th September 12.30pm – 1.15pmHealthy Homes: What Really Makes a Building Good for People?Demonstrating best practice, the session will provide evidence-based guidance on delivering homes that are not only energy efficient, but demonstrably better for occupant health and wellbeing.Speakers: Dr Anastasia Mylona (CIBSE), Jade Lewis (Healthy Homes & Buildings Group), Mark Allen (Fortem), Olga Turner Baker (Ekkist) 1.30pm – 2.15pmThe Retrofit Reset: Beyond Grants to Long Term DeliveryGovernment grants have played an important role in kickstarting retrofit, but they won’t deliver the scale or pace of home upgrades the UK needs on their own. What comes next? How do we move beyond short-term funding towards a stable, long-term retrofit market that gives homeowners, landlords, local authorities and industry the confidence to invest?Speakers: Carl Bairstow (Efficiency North), Rachael Owens (National Retrofit Hub), Sarah Louise Fletcher (Leeds Beckett University) Wednesday 30th September 2.30pm – 3.15pmRight First Time: The Future of Membrane SuitabilityApproved Document B, Awaab’s Law and the Future Homes Standard are converging on the roof. As fire safety rules tighten, repair timeframes shorten, and solar PV goes mainstream, membrane suitability is a critical compliance consideration. This panel cuts through the noise to ask what “suitable” will mean going forward, and how the sector can get it ‘right first time’.Speakers: Adrian Howe (Stormforce Roofing), Matthew Sexton (BMI UK & Ireland), Thomas Marshall (Don & Low Ltd) 3.30pm-4.15pmBeyond Sedum: The Next Generation of Green RoofsThis session will explore the technical and practical considerations of designing, specifying and maintaining roofs that respond to local vernaculars, support Biodiversity Net Gain objectives and function as genuine nature-based solutions rather than compliance measures.Speakers: Chris Bridgman (Bridgman & Bridgman and Chair, Green Roof Organisation (GRO), Vice President, European Federation of Green Roof and Wall Associations and Founder, World Green Roof Day), Keith Hills (Eco Green Group), Luke Rootham (Axter Ltd), Maggie Fennel Wells (The Environment Partnership (TEP) Ltd) Thursday 1st October 10.30am – 11.15amSolar, Storage and Heat Pumps: What New Build and Retrofit Mean for Your BusinessThis session will explore how the Future Homes Standard and the Warm Homes Plan are shaping demand for solar PV, battery storage and heat pumps, and what businesses need to do now to prepare.Speakers: Jason Howlett (Energy Storage Association), Neil Evans (GoodWe), Nigel Banks (Octopus Energy) 12.30pm – 1.15pmNet Zero Transition Planning: Turning Construction Ambition into ActionThis presentation will explore how organisations can build robust transition plans, align with the emerging ISO Net Zero Standard, and integrate carbon reduction into business planning, procurement and project delivery.Speaker: Lucie Shackley (Carbon Trust) Martin Hurn, UKCW Birmingham Editorial Director, commented: ““The Building Envelope Stage reflects a shift we’re seeing across the industry: performance is no longer an abstract ambition, it’s a practical discipline. By bringing contractors, manufacturers, specifiers and installers together, we’re creating a space where real world challenges meet real world solutions. This is where innovation becomes practice, and where the sector moves forward together.” Sponsored by Barbour ABI, Zutec, Wyre, HotelPlanner and Build Warranty, UKCW Birmingham will feature over 250 leading brands; 200 speakers and over 150 hours of CPD accredited seminars across four stages, alongside a series of built-for-purpose sections. Architect, TV presenter and UKCW ambassador, George Clarke will officially open the show and also host the Main Stage discussions on Day One (September 29th). To find out more and to register free for UKCW Birmingham, visit https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/0hcnqiudc1lrv?actioncode=1000 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A Who’s Who of thought leaders and experts headline the new-look Main Stage at UK Construction Birmingham this autumn (NEC, September 29 to October 1), where high-level, conference sessions will explore a myriad of issues including policy, leadership, major projects, skills, productivity, technology, sustainability and the future direction of construction. Built around the core themes of Building Better, Building Smarter and Building Responsibly, the Main Stage – one of five theatres at UKCW Birmingham – will welcome an array of leading luminaries, including: Main Stage seminar highlights include: Tuesday 29th September  10.30am – 11.15am The Construction Reset: What Needs to Change and What Happens if We Don’t? [Build Better]  This session will examine where the industry can unlock growth, improve performance and build a future-ready workforce through innovation, collaboration and new career pathways.  Speakers: Jackie Rigby (Homes England), Saul Humphrey (Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Tim Balcon (CITB) 12.30pm – 1.15pm Housing at Scale: The Race to 1.5 Million Homes  This session will examine the opportunities created by planning reform, New Towns and strategic growth areas, while exploring whether more scalable delivery models can help increase capacity. With political focus, investment and innovation aligning, the next five years could represent the biggest opportunity for housebuilding in a generation.  Speakers: Ed Griffiths (Barbour-ABI); Emma Osmundsen (Chair, Passivhaus Trust Board) 2.15pm – 2.45pmWho are the people changing construction for the better? Announcing the UKCW Role Models Winners for 2026 With three categories: Rising Star, Pioneer and Icon, UKCW Role Models recognises outstanding achievement at every stage of a career. This special session will reveal the 2026 winners and celebrate the exceptional leadership, innovation and impact that have earned them recognition as some of the industry’s most inspiring role models.  Presenters: Christina Riley, Senior Planning Manager, Coniston Ltd & Co-Founder, Building Equality; Rebecca Rickwood, CEO, Gement Group  Wednesday 30th September   11.30am – 12.15pm Constructing the Gold Standard: Choosing the Right Framework for Better Supply Chain Partnerships  This panel will explore how the principles of the Construction Excellence Gold Standard are reshaping procurement, moving beyond lowest-price tendering towards fairer risk allocation, earlier supply chain engagement and longer-term collaborative relationships.  Moderator: Alison Nicholl (Head of Constructing Excellence, BRE & DfE)  Speakers: Prof. David Hancock (Construction Director and Infrastructure Practice Lead, His Majesty’s Treasury,  Expert Advisory Team & NISTA); Rob Byrnes (Frameworks Director, Vinci Building UK)  2.30pm – 3.15pmNet Zero That Pays: Making Commercial Sustainability Work in Construction  An opportunity to examine how whole-life carbon, material choices, energy performance and retrofit strategies are increasingly shaping procurement decisions, project outcomes and competitive advantage.  Speakers: Ste Garlik (Strategic Lead for Decarbonisation & Retrofit, Building Design Partnership & Chief Executive, Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB)); Will Arnold (Head of Sustainable Materials, Useful Simple Trust)  Thursday 1st October  12.30pm – 1.15pm AI in Construction: Reimagining How Real Applications Deliver Real Results [Build Smarter]  This session will showcase real examples of AI being used to automate repetitive tasks, improve document and data management, accelerate design coordination, enhance project controls and increase productivity across construction workflows.  Speakers: Paul Beeston (Partner – Head of Industry and Service Insight, Rider Levett Bucknall); Meghan Davies (Co-Founder, Cammina)  1.30pm – 2.15pm The New Industrial Revolution: How Digital-First Construction Can Finally Scale Productivity  How digital-first approaches, combined with standardisation, better data and new ways of working, can help the industry move away from fragmented project-by-project delivery towards more repeatable, efficient and scalable systems.  Moderator: Trudi Sully (Industrialised Construction Director, Mott MacDonald and Co-Chair Building Better: Community of Practice (BB:CoP))Speakers: Lilian Ho (Associate Director – Digital & BIM, UK+I Architecture + Design , AECOM); George Mokhtar (Director, Turner & Townsend)  Martin Hurn, UKCW Birmingham Editorial Director, commented: “Our theme of The Construction Reset will position UKCW Birmingham as a marketplace and industry meeting point, built around the real challenges, opportunities and partnerships shaping construction today. “The Main Stage is at the very heart of that, with some of the biggest names in the industry coming together to discuss, debate and help shape the conversations that will define the future of the built environment. From innovation and digital transformation to sustainability, skills and policy, the programme has been designed to provide practical insight, fresh thinking and meaningful discussion for everyone working across the sector.” Sponsored by Wyre, HotelPlanner and Build Warranty, UKCW Birmingham will feature over  250 leading brands; 200 speakers and over 150 hours of CPD accredited seminars across four stages, alongside a series of built-for-purpose sections. Architect, TV presenter and UKCW ambassador, George Clarke will officially open the show and also host the Main Stage discussions on Day One (September 29th). To find out more and to register free for UKCW Birmingham, visit https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/0hcnqiudc1lrv?actioncode=1000 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Fit Out Awards UK 2026 has strengthened its expert judging panel with the appointment of acclaimed interior designer Mia Karlsson-Matthews, Founder and Director of Mia Karlsson Interior Design, as preparations continue for one of the UK’s leading celebrations of excellence across the fit out and interiors sector. Based in London, Karlsson-Matthews brings more than 20 years of award-winning design experience to the judging process, having built an internationally recognised practice renowned for creating bespoke residential interiors that combine Scandinavian functionality with contemporary luxury. Originally from Sweden, she established Mia Karlsson Interior Design in 2004, developing a distinctive design philosophy centred on intelligent space planning, craftsmanship and timeless interiors. Since then, the studio has successfully completed more than 300 residential projects, earning a reputation for delivering highly personalised environments that balance aesthetics with practical living. Her work has featured extensively in leading interior design publications, reflecting the studio’s consistent commitment to quality and innovation across a diverse portfolio of high-end residential commissions. Karlsson-Matthews also brings strong academic and professional credentials to the judging panel. She holds a first-class degree in Interior Design and Technology and is a prominent member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID). As a former BIID Board Director, she has also played an influential role in supporting the continued development of professional standards across the UK’s interior design and interior architecture sectors. Her appointment further strengthens an already distinguished judging panel for the Fit Out Awards UK 2026, which brings together leading experts from across architecture, workplace design, sustainability, academia and the wider built environment. The awards programme features 32 categories recognising excellence across every aspect of the fit out industry, including commercial office fit out projects, hospitality, healthcare, retail, residential and conservation, alongside awards celebrating sustainability, collaboration, product innovation and overall project delivery. Karlsson-Matthews joins Judging Coordinator Ann-Marie Aguilar of IWBI alongside Vanessa Brady of SBID, Vyvyan Byrne of VB Design, Dr Eshrar Latif of Cardiff University, Giuseppe Parito of Studio Seilern Architects, Professor Robert Schmidt III of Loughborough University and Lydia Szewczyk of IWBI. For the construction, architecture and interior fit out sectors, the awards continue to showcase the outstanding talent, innovation and technical expertise shaping the UK’s built environment. The appointment of experienced industry professionals such as Mia Karlsson-Matthews reinforces the awards’ commitment to recognising projects that demonstrate exceptional quality, creativity and excellence in design and delivery. The Fit Out Awards UK 2026 will culminate in a gala ceremony on 24 September 2026 at the Park Plaza London Riverbank, where the industry’s leading designers, contractors, architects and suppliers will come together to celebrate the year’s most outstanding achievements in fit out and interior design. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals