Story Highlight
– GRAHAM hosted inaugural Supply Chain Awards in Belfast.
– Over 350 professionals recognized for infrastructure contributions.
– Nugent awarded Overall Supply Chain Partner of the Year.
– Charity raffle raised over £12,000 for five charities.
– GRAHAM reported 71% profit growth and major project wins.
Full Story
**GRAHAM Group Celebrates Supply Chain Excellence at Inaugural Awards Ceremony**
GRAHAM, a prominent construction and engineering firm headquartered in Hillsborough, has marked a significant milestone by hosting its inaugural Supply Chain Awards at the Crowne Plaza Belfast. This event, which drew over 350 industry professionals from the UK and Ireland, aimed to honour key contributors to the company’s extensive portfolio of infrastructure projects.
The evening, presented by broadcaster Sarah Travers, was filled with accolades that recognised the exceptional collaboration and commitment demonstrated by GRAHAM’s supply chain partners. In total, more than 100 organisations were celebrated for their professional contributions, highlighting the vital importance of these partnerships to GRAHAM’s ongoing success across various sectors.
Ten awards were distributed during the ceremony, each representing excellence in diverse categories such as safety, digital innovation, modern methods of construction (MMC), aftercare, environmental performance, and collaborative delivery. The event showcased a strong commitment to high standards and recognised the outstanding achievements within the supply chain.
Among the night’s standout figures was Nugent, a mechanical and electrical engineering firm based in Tyrone, which took home the night’s most prestigious accolade, being named the Overall Supply Chain Partner of the Year. In addition to this honour, Nugent also secured awards for Best Practice in Aftercare and received a Highly Commended mention in the Commercial Excellence category.
Other notable winners included Britplas, which was acknowledged for Outstanding Quality Management, and Midwest Construction, who demonstrated Excellence in Safety, Health, and Environmental Performance. 4D Structures was recognised for its contributions to Responsible Social Value, while Newry’s Branniff Joinery was commended for the Best Use of Digital Tools and Technology.
Creagh Concrete was awarded as the MMC & Innovation Trailblazer, and Oakleaf Contracts received the Excellence through Collaboration and Delivery award. Mayo Civils and Advanced Concrete & Formwork were also recognised for their endeavours, with the latter receiving a Special Recognition Award. Meanwhile, Dawson WAM’s commendable performances in both the Safety, Health & Environmental Performance and MMC & Innovation Trailblazer categories earned them further recognition.
The diversity of nominees and winners illustrated the extensive capabilities of GRAHAM’s supply chain, ranging across construction, engineering, specialist trades, technology, and aftercare services. Jonathan Hall, Chief Operating Officer of GRAHAM, remarked: “Our first Supply Chain Awards event was held to celebrate the innovation, collaboration, and dedication that define our valued supply chain. These awards are our way of saying thank you to our partners for their professionalism, creativity, and contribution to our collective progress. Together, we will continue to set new standards for quality, delivery, and collaboration across our industry.”
In addition to the awards, the night included a charity raffle that successfully raised over £12,000 for GRAHAM’s five designated charity partners: Make-A-Wish, Marie Curie, Colostomy UK, Glasgow’s Helping Heroes, and The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. This focus on community support underlines the ethos of GRAHAM and its intention to create a lasting impact within society through charity work.
The ceremony is set to become an annual tradition, shining a light on the significant contributions of partners who help GRAHAM maintain its position as a leading force in infrastructure development within the UK and Ireland. The company has seen pronounced growth over the past year, resulting in strong profit margins and securing several major project contracts, alongside key investments in leadership, quality, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
Recent financial results from GRAHAM revealed a remarkable 71% increase in profit before tax, along with strategic appointments that have enhanced the company’s capabilities in digital innovation and sustainability measures. Externally, the firm was honoured with the CIPS Procurement Excellence Standard accreditation, an achievement that places GRAHAM among a select group of just 300 organisations globally recognised for their top-tier procurement governance and performance.
The firm remains active across multiple sectors in both the UK and Ireland. One of its most significant upcoming projects is a £90 million contract aimed at developing a new deep-water quay and cruise terminal for Belfast Harbour, anticipated to be the largest deal finalised by GRAHAM in 2025. Additionally, GRAHAM is poised to undertake several key public-sector projects, including the £64 million iREACH Health Centre adjacent to Belfast City Hospital, which is scheduled to open in 2027 and is aimed at creating up to 1,000 new jobs.
Notable developments also include the construction of a new Royal Victoria Hospital Children’s Hospital, a 10-storey facility that will provide 155 beds, theatres, and emergency services, as well as Project Atlas—a cutting-edge office and laboratory complex designed for Forensic Science Northern Ireland, situated in Carrickfergus.
Through the acknowledgment of its partners and the commitment to excellence reflected in the award ceremony, GRAHAM’s vision of fostering a collaborative and innovative environment is clear. It sets a firm foundation for future projects, reinforcing its status as a leader in delivering significant infrastructure advancements across the region.
Our Thoughts
The article focuses on GRAHAM’s Supply Chain Awards celebrating excellence among construction and engineering partners. While no specific incidents or breaches of UK health and safety regulations are mentioned, several proactive measures could enhance safety and compliance.
Firstly, continuous training and communication about health and safety protocols are crucial in preventing incidents. Regular site audits in line with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 could ensure compliance and identify risks early. Additionally, fostering a culture of safety by rewarding not only excellence in project delivery but also adherence to safety practices could further embed safety into everyday operations.
The emphasis on health, safety, and environmental performance by various awardees indicates their collective commitment to these principles. To build on this, GRAHAM could implement a robust reporting system for near-misses and incidents, aligning with Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) requirements, which would facilitate a learning environment.
Moreover, involving supply chain partners in safety training sessions can extend their commitment to safety standards, ensuring they are all aligned with shared responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This collective approach can minimize risks and enhance overall project success.
