CEWales Newsletter December 2024

On behalf of all of us at CEWales we are grateful for your support. An integral arm and a driving force to the movement is G4C Wales, the next generation of professionals who have an interest in the Welsh Built Environment, which is free to all, so if you’re not already do get involved. The G4C awards 2024 were a first for many years so we were delighted to celebrate the extensive talent and passion we are privileged to have in this industry of ours.

Congratulations to all those nominated and to the G4C Wales winners 2024

Apprentice of the Year
Winner -  Nazifa Chowdhury, AtkinsRealis
Highly Commended - Dominic Henson, Atkins Realis                     

Mentor of the Year                  
Winner – Luther Jim, DB3 Architecture          

New Professional of the Year                           
Winner - Pei Qi Wong, AtkinsRealis
Highly Commended - Alicia Roberts Allsup, YGC

Trainee of the Year                  
Winner – Adam Platts, Kier Construction

Thank you to G4C Wales Co-Chairs Sophie Latham, Blake Morgan and Harriet Wade, Bouygues UK for your leadership, time and unwavering effort you have given to G4C Wales. Thanks, must also go to the G4C Wales committee who have given their upmost support and shown great enthusiasm during the past year.

The event demonstrates that what we do as an industry has a shared impact.

WELL………A lot can happen in a year and so much progress has been be achieved. A year ago we entered into our more formal arrangement with Welsh Government; where CEWales are now contracted by WG to provide specialist construction advice to Welsh Ministers and act as a conduit between Government and the sector. This closer engagement and collaboration are an essential prerequisite for a prosperous, resilient and growing sector that puts safety, competence and people at its heart. The success of this relationship is all dependant on each of you, we really do rely on you talking to us to inform our thinking, making actionable recommendations and driving much needed change within and for the sector.

At the Senedd, we launched our Annual report – Building for Future Generations – A new path for the Welsh Built Environment - which demonstrates our all-encompassing work throughout 2024. Which can be found HERE.

We have produced insight and intelligence reports disseminated throughout WG, we have begun work on a Wales Construction Policy Statement/action plan, we have set about improving the transparency and accessibility to pipelines. We have increased engagement on socially responsible procurement and set about an independent review of PBA’s. We are reviewing the commissioning and procurement processes for new social housing and increased engagement on the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme. We have embedded foundational economy principles within the WG Construction Forum. Gained Supply chain involvement on transport and infrastructure. We have started the development of a construction digital action plan and increased opportunities for the built environment in circular economy principles…….. I could go on but do look at the report.

An integral outcome of our sector and key to CEWales’ mission is ensuring a robust and resilient industry. Throughout 2024 we have championed opportunities within the sector to transform processes, practices and delivery to focus on value, build for future generations and have an industry that remains profitable in a resilient, transparent and collaborative way. These principles can all be seen through CEWales’ Award winners and those shortlisted.

The CEW award winners demonstrate outstanding examples of what local authorities, designers, consultants, contractors and the entire Welsh built environment supply chain are achieving. Each project captures what is best about Welsh construction, benefitting our communities and the people who work and live within them.

We were also thrilled to have monopolised the stage at the CE National awards having four UK Award winners and one highly commended, demonstrating the very highest performance in the sector throughout the UK. These inspiring projects and people are awarded for the very best practice projects, schemes of work and people from across the entire built environment.

All the award winners set a benchmark for best practice not only here in Wales but also across the UK, they demonstrate the core strength of construction in Wales. We are grateful to everyone involved, all our Welsh winners, those shortlisted and our national winners for the leadership they are showing.

Our achievements throughout the Welsh Built Environment in 2024 are notable, most importantly because of those who we work with. So on this theme I would like to thank……. The CEWales team, Sue Selkirk, Jia Asfar, Lynn Broughton, the CEWales Directors and Board members, our WG Official colleagues, Bleddyn Edwards our designer……….. and all our CEWales members and sponsors, who are all noted within our annual report.

Finally, I want to thank those Sponsors who have already confirmed their support for next year – We have launched the 2025 awards, check out our website and look out for our flyer. The awards will be taking place on 20^th June at the Celtic Manor, we have many exciting sponsorship opportunities for you to consider, so please do get in touch.

Thank you everyone for your help and support and we look forward to collaborating with you in the next year to deliver a better industry together.

Best wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year!