Best Places to Work in Construction 2008

Professional Services category
Winner: Walker Sime
Highly Commended: JLES Group
Shortlisted: Hallam Land Management, Henry Boot Developments, HLM Architects, Walsh Group

Walker Sime is a company praised by its employees as being an ambitious organisation with a genuine sense of direction and good career development opportunities. Staff believe it cares about its employees, rewarding hard work.

Emma Penny – Editor of Contract Journal, Derek Walker – Director of Walker Sime and Nicola Thompson – Director of Communications and Marketing from ConstructionSkills

Supplier Category
Winner: TH Associates
Shortlisted: ABC Contract Services, ARC-GEN, SkyBlue

TH Associates has monthly performance appraisals, provides support which is second to none and is a hard-working, organised company which creates a happy working environment, according to its staff.

Emma Penny – Editor of Contract Journal, Clive Todd - Managing Director of TH Associates and Nicola Thompson, Director of Communications and Marketing from ConstructionSkills

Civil Engineering Contractor category
Winner: Hewlett Civil Engineering
Shortlisted: Alpha Construction, JN Bentley, Norwest Holst Civil Engineering, Tamdown

Employees say Hewlett Civil Engineering has good team morale and strong management, with a work ethic that is second to none. It’s seen as forward thinking, open to innovation and willing to listen, with plenty of trust and belief in individuals. 

Emma Penny – Editor of Contract Journal, Stuart Firth - Corporate Development Manager of Hewlett Civil Engineering and Nicola Thompson, Director of Communications and Marketing from ConstructionSkills

Specialist Contractor category
Winner: Ploughcroft Building Services
Shortlisted: Cementation Foundations Skanska, Concrete Repairs, Grainger Building Services, SE Controls, Skansen Interiors

Staff say Ploughcroft Building Services has a good working environment, great away days, plenty of training opportunities and respect from the top, with senior management seen as having determination to drive the company forward. 

Emma Penny - Editor of Contract Journal, Christopher Hopkins – Director of Ploughcroft Building Services and Nicola Thompson, Director of Communications and Marketing from ConstructionSkills

Building Contractor with 501 or more staff category
Winner: Fitzpatrick Contactors
Highly Commended: Bardon Contracting
Shortlisted: G&J Seddon, Shepherd Construction, Thomas Vale Construction

Fitzpatrick Contractors is a firm which is seen as having a great family atmosphere and of being understanding and supportive. One employee says it is ‘one of those rare firms where you are not just a number’ while others praise its fairness, open door policies and good working environment.

Emma Penny – Editor of Contract Journal, Anthony Clarke - Projects Manage of Fitzpatrick Contractors and Nicola Thompson – Director of Communications and Marketing from ConstructionSkills.

Building Contractor with 201 – 500 staff category
Winner: Inspace Partnerships
Shortlisted: Patton Group

Inspace Partnerships offers excellent training, has good systems and procedures in place, and recognises its staff as an asset, say employees. Career prospects are excellent with talented people rising through the ranks and it is a diverse, hard working and happy firm.

Emma Penny – Editor of Contract Journal, Catherine Weir - Head of Human Resources of  Inspace Partnerships and Tim Cook – Managing Director of Hays Construction

Building Contractor with 101 – 200 staff
Winner: Holloway White Allom
Highly Commended: Galliford Try Partnerships
Shortlisted: Conlon Construction, Pochin Contractors, Southdale Homes, Strategic Team Maintenance

According to its employees, Holloway White Allom has a good atmosphere, respects its staff, provides interesting work and is led by example. One comment was that the company puts a massive investment into its staff and they really care about the wellbeing of their workers.

Emma Penny – Editor of Contract Journal, Bob Cole - Managing Director of Holloway White Allom and Tim Cook, Managing Director of Hays Construction

Building Contractor with 51 – 100 staff
Winner: Mount Anvil
Shortlisted: Cavanna Group Man Services, Jehu Project Services, Strata Construction

Staff say that Mount Anvil has an inspirational atmosphere, a dynamic approach to business and is a real pleasure to be part of. It has a strong set of core values, strives to achieve good team communication and is a real happy family.

Emma Penny, Editor of Contract Journal, Killian Hurley - Chief Executive of Mount Anvil and Tim Cook, Managing Director of Hays Construction

Building Contractor with 11 – 50 staff
Winner: W.J. Butcher (Romford)
Shortlisted: Stone BCI, Xircon

Employees say they are proud to be part of W.J. Butcher (Romford). It has a good work-life balance, generous performance-related bonus scheme and support for business and personal matters appeals to all its employees. Indeed, the only real staff issue appears to be fighting traffic on the daily commute. 

Emma Penny – Editor of Contract Journal, Derek Clark - Director, W.J. Butcher (Romford) and Tim Cook, Managing Director of Hays Construction

Best Year-on-Year Improvement
Winner: Patton Group
Highly Commended: Linford Group
Shortlisted: Conlon Construction, Hewlett Civil Engineering, Holloway White Allom, W.J. Butcher (Romford)

Patton Group has made a big step forward. Staff say it strives for excellence, has a positive and friendly family atmosphere. It has invested across the business in recent years, and has maintained a stable, committed workforce.

Emma Penny – Editor of Contract Journal, Brendon Boyd - Fit Out Director of Patton Group and Tim Cook – Managing Director of Hays Construction