Sandwell Council has been shortlisted as a finalist in two categories at the 2018 West Midlands Celebrating Construction Awards.

Attracting more than 200 entries from some of the biggest firms in UK construction, the prestigious awards celebrate the best of the Midlands built environment.

Sandwell Council – and in particular the Business Growth Team (which manages Think Sandwell) – has been recognised for its exemplary support for our borough’s SMEs. We have been shortlisted in the Digital Construction Initiative of the Year category for our work with the BIMwm framework, and for a joint entry with Currall, Lewis & Martin (CLM) in the Best Integration and Collaboration category.

CLM specialises in civil engineering, bridge construction and conservation projects. The long-established Oldbury-based company partnered with Sandwell Council’s Business Growth Team to work with a cluster group of local SMEs and secure a prestigious contract involving preparatory works for the UK’s HS2 railway network.

Sandwell Council was delighted to provide early project involvement and support with procurement processes and work-winning initiatives such as building information modelling, giving the cluster group the best possible chance of success.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic investment Paul Moore said, “We are delighted that Sandwell Council has been shortlisted in two categories, demonstrating our wide range of business services and skills. The Best Integration and Collaboration nomination reflects our commitment to collaborative working with Sandwell SMEs on West Midlands regeneration projects.

“Being a finalist in the Digital Construction Initiative of the Year demonstrates the Business Growth Team’s effective partnership with the BIMwm Framework. It’s wonderful to be recognised as a local authority that is leading the way in adopting new digital design technologies and supply chain innovation”.

The winners will be announced at a high-profile dinner on Friday 13 April, when more than 700 business leaders, construction peers and innovators from the construction world will gather at the ICC in Birmingham to celebrate the very best industry projects.