Young Leader in Social Value and Sustainability

Who will be named BTF’s Young Leader in Social Value and Sustainability for 2025? This special category recognises the sustainability strategists driving the climate and corporate responsibility agenda forward. These are the in-house innovators, mentors, and changemakers reshaping construction from within — the ones who don’t just talk about transformation, but live it every day. They are proof that the future of our built environment can be both ethical and ambitious, balancing growth with lasting social value.

Nick Turner – GMI Construction Group PLC

Overview

As Senior Responsible Business Partner for GMI Construction Group, Nick Turner leads with purpose — embedding sustainability, diversity, and community impact into every corner of the Midlands region’s operations. His role covers everything from carbon reduction and stakeholder engagement to social mobility and equality initiatives. A champion of ethical practice and inclusivity, Nick ensures that GMI’s responsible business strategy translates into real-world outcomes for people and places.

Why They Stood Out

Nick’s vision for construction goes far beyond the building site. Through initiatives like DIY Skills Workshops and Constructive Kickabouts, he’s empowered hundreds of young people with hands-on construction skills, teamwork, and confidence. His leadership of Construction Cares has driven tangible community change — mobilising GMI’s workforce to volunteer with charities and disadvantaged groups.

As an Enterprise Advisor at Queensbury School, Nick has opened pathways for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) students, ensuring they have the same access to careers as their peers. His inclusive work has been recognised through awards such as Skills

West Midlands & Warwickshire’s Excellence in Inclusion and the EY Foundation Volunteer Award, celebrating his ability to merge compassion with corporate strategy.

Highlights

• Leads GMI’s responsible business agenda across the Midlands region.
• Creator of DIY Skills Workshops and Constructive Kickabouts community initiatives.
• Mentors SEND students as Enterprise Advisor at Queensbury School.
• Founder of Construction Cares volunteer programme and charity partnerships.
• Winner: Excellence in Inclusion Award, Skills WM & Warwickshire.
• Recipient: EY Foundation Volunteer Award for social impact.
• Advocate for DEI, sustainability, and youth engagement in construction.

Marina Strotz – Coda Workshop

Overview

Architect, horticulturist, and community design leader Marina Strotz is redefining sustainability through architecture. As Associate Director at Coda Workshop, she leads socially conscious projects that bridge design, ecology, and public engagement — transforming neglected spaces into thriving ecosystems. Her regeneration projects, including the £4 million Erdington Baths redevelopment and National Trust Pocket Parks, embody a model of design that benefits both people and planet.

Why They Stood Out

Her regeneration projects while Associate Director at Intervention Architecture, including the £4 million Erdington Baths redevelopment and National Trust Pocket Parks , embody a model of design that benefits both people and planet.

While at Intervention Architecture, She led the creation of four community pocket parks in East Birmingham, empowering over 140 residents to co-design their neighbourhoods. Her award-winning ‘Wander and Wonder’ therapeutic garden for the NHS — Gold Winner at BBC Gardener’s World Live — exemplifies her approach to wellbeing and sustainability.

Leader of National Trust Pocket Parks in East Birmingham while Associate Director at Intervention Architecture.
Project Architect for Intervention Architecture’s Erdington Baths £4m community redevelopment
Creator of ‘Wander and Wonder’ Garden, Gold Winner, BBC Gardener’s World Live.
Former BAA President, founder of the BAA Student Awards.
key collaborator in the co-creation and co-development of ‘Climania’ – the climate change education game.
Named RIBA Rising Star 2024 for leadership in social sustainability.

Highlights

• Associate Director driving sustainability and regeneration at Intervention Architecture.
• Leader of National Trust Pocket Parks in East Birmingham.
• Project Architect for Erdington Baths £4m community redevelopment.
• Creator of ‘Wander and Wonder’ Garden, Gold Winner, BBC Gardener’s World Live.
• Former BAA President, founder of the BAA Student Awards.
• Co-developer of ‘Climania’ climate change education game.
• Named RIBA Rising Star 2024 for leadership in social sustainability.

Ellie Hicks – Equans

Overview

As Social Value Officer at Equans, Ellie Hicks has quickly become one of the most promising young leaders in sustainability and inclusion. Working on the Birmingham City Council (BCC) contract, she designs and delivers social value initiatives that support underrepresented groups, stimulate local economies, and champion gender equality through practical empowerment.

Why They Stood Out

Ellie’s impact has been immediate and profound. She has launched the EmpowerHer programme — a pioneering initiative that teaches women essential DIY and home maintenance skills to support independent living. Her work extends to employment pathways for asylum seekers, veterans, and people facing homelessness, while also creating opportunities for local SMEs and VCSEs.

Ellie’s SEND apprenticeship workshops and mock assessment centres have opened construction careers to hundreds of students who might otherwise be excluded. Her enthusiasm for mentoring young talent and leading sustainability projects has positioned her as both a role model and a change-maker within Equans and the wider Birmingham community.

Highlights

• Designed and delivered EmpowerHer — a women’s skills and employment programme.
• Leads social value strategy under the Birmingham City Council framework.
• Focuses on hard-to-reach groups, including asylum seekers and homeless individuals.
• Delivered SEND apprenticeship workshops and mock assessments.
• Facilitated community litter picks and eco-education events.
• Completed IOSH & TOMS Training to strengthen sustainability metrics.
• Enterprise Advisor at Greenwood Academy, inspiring young people into construction.

Miles Allibone-Dover – Skanska

Overview

As a Project Management Apprentice with National Highways, working under Skanska on the £282 million M42 Junction 6 Improvement Scheme, Miles Allibone-Dover has already

made a remarkable impact. His work combines social value leadership, stakeholder engagement, and technical delivery — all while advocating for sustainability and skills development across one of the UK’s major infrastructure projects.

Why They Stood Out

Miles’ leadership on community engagement stands out for its maturity and measurable results. He personally secured over £16,000 in social value funding for local projects, including a successful £8,000 grant to regenerate Bickenhill Village Hall. His ability to manage complex meetings with MPs, residents, and National Highways committees reflects his professionalism and confidence as an emerging leader.

Beyond project delivery, Miles mentors apprentices and school students, reaching more than 300 young people through workshops and presentations. As the Early Talent Regional

Representative for the Midlands, he’s also building a support network for 80 graduates and apprentices, nurturing the next generation of sustainability-focused engineers and project managers.

Highlights

• Social Value Manager for M42 Junction 6 Improvement Scheme (£282m).
• Secured £16,000+ in social value grants, including £8,000 for Bickenhill Village.
• Mentored new apprentices and Year-in-Industry students at National Highways.
• Delivered STEM outreach talks to over 300 students across 7 schools and colleges.
• Appointed Early Talent Regional Representative for the Midlands.
• Advocate for community regeneration, confidence-building, and inclusion.

Izzy Haines – AtkinsRéalis

Overview

At just the start of her career, Izzy Haines has already carved out a unique role as Assistant Social Value and Net Zero Carbon Consultant at AtkinsRéalis. Acting as the bridge between two critical teams — Social Value and Net Zero — she’s redefining how sustainability and social impact can work hand in hand to deliver meaningful change across projects and people.

Why They Stood Out

Izzy co-founded the Sustainable Futures Initiative, which challenges traditional sustainability metrics by introducing outcomes-based measurement to better capture environmental and social impact. She has developed Climate Action Plans for multiacademy trusts, led Heat Decarbonisation Plans, and delivered free sustainability webinars to education leaders across the UK.

Her leadership of the NextGen Bristol Network has helped integrate young professionals across business units, encouraging collaboration and wellbeing initiatives such as charity drives and the reverse advent calendar campaign. Judges praised her exceptional communication, creativity, and passion for turning ideas into action — qualities that have already positioned her as one of the sector’s most inspiring young leaders.

Highlights

• Assistant Social Value & Net Zero Consultant integrating dual sustainability teams.
• Co-founder of the Sustainable Futures Initiative for outcomes-based impact.
• Led Climate Action Plans for multi-academy trusts (DfE 2025 target).
• Spearheaded Heat Decarbonisation Plans for key clients.
• Bristol NextGen Lead, promoting collaboration, wellbeing & inclusivity.
• Delivered STEM workshops to over 1,000 primary pupils and university lectures.
• Recognised internally for innovation, leadership, and positive culture-building.

Wrap-Up

From corporate responsibility and community design to education, decarbonisation, and inclusion, the Young Leader in Social Value and Sustainability finalists embody what it means to lead with purpose.

Each has proven that progress isn’t just measured in projects delivered — but in lives improved, opportunities created, and futures made fairer.

These changemakers are not only building careers — they are building better worlds.