Sold-Out Building the Future Awards 2025 Spotlight Rising Construction Talent and Issue a Powerful Call to Industry Action
Thursday 27 November 2025 – Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham
More than 400 industry leaders, employers, educators, apprentices and young professionals filled a sold-out Edgbaston Stadium last night for the Building the Future Awards 2025 — a major national celebration of early-career excellence and the urgent need to strengthen the UK’s construction talent pipeline.
Hosted by Colson Smith (actor and former Coronation Street star) and Damini Sharma (CEO, OM Group), the evening blended inspiration, high-level insight and unforgettable performances, including a standout set from the LMA Choir, the nationally recognised X-Factor finalists.
Across 16 award categories, the ceremony recognised the exceptional achievements of apprentices, young professionals, employers, educators and training providers. The energy, storytelling and sector leadership on display made this the most impactful edition of the event to date.
Sector Leaders Deliver Hard-Hitting Messages for the Future
One of the night’s most powerful moments came from Professor Rosa Wells, Dean of STEM at University College Birmingham, who issued a direct challenge to the industry:
“The problem is no longer young people getting into colleges or applying for courses,” she said.
“The real crisis is that too many companies are not taking on apprentices — and without them, our future workforce simply will not exist. This is the challenge we must solve together.”
Her message drew strong applause from across the room, striking at the heart of the UK’s current skills and workforce shortages.
A Photo-Ready, Electrifying Moment: Dr Bola Abisogun OBE on Digital Twins
The Awards’ Charity Partner, the Digital Twin Skills Academy (DTSA), led by Dr Bola Abisogun OBE, delivered what many described as one of the most electrifying keynote addresses the event has hosted.
Speaking on the future of digital construction, digital twins and the urgent need for digital inclusion, Dr Abisogun ignited the room with a message of innovation, access and responsibility:
“Digital twins are not just technology — they are the new literacy of the built environment. If we do not equip young people now, we risk leaving an entire generation behind.”
His keynote received a standing ovation, becoming one of the most photographed and talked-about moments of the evening.
Celebrating Excellence: Standout Winners and Powerful Stories
This year’s winners showcased remarkable leadership, talent and innovation.
Gallaway Construction, in particular, stood out with a remarkable achievement. Already the winner of 12 national awards in the past year, they received their 13th award on the BTF stage — a milestone that symbolised their commitment to excellence, training and people development. Their story became one of the defining narratives of the evening.
Other highlights included:
- Leeds College of Building, winning two major categories
- Birmingham Metropolitan College, honoured for apprenticeship excellence
- Rising young leaders: Sianna Borland, Nathan Hassall, Marina Strotz, Marisa Kurimbokus, and Jake Astell, each receiving huge applause for their achievements
Head Judge Jayne Hanson praised the “extraordinary depth, drive and character displayed by this year’s finalists.”
2025 Sponsors – Driving the Mission Forward
Headline Sponsors
- Equans
- OM Group
- Wickes
Diamond Sponsor
- Careys Construction Group
Gold & Supporting Sponsors
- West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA)
- United Infrastructure
- Birmingham City University (BCU)
- University College Birmingham (UCB)
- Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMET)
- South & City College Birmingham
- Moda Living
- Marrons
- Hollywood Monster
- Caddick Construction
A Movement Growing in Scale and Momentum
The Awards sit within a wider ecosystem — the Construction Summit, Careers Fair, mentoring programmes, school outreach and the new Alumni Network — all geared towards supporting the next generation and closing the industry’s skills gap.
Founder and CEO Errol Lawson said:
“We didn’t just celebrate winners tonight — we celebrated what the future of construction can be. These young people are talented, ambitious and ready to lead. Our responsibility is to build pathways and partnerships that help them thrive.”
Sponsorship Momentum for 2026 Already Building
Following the success of this year’s event, the organising team has already received early enquiries from companies looking to sponsor or partner with the Building the Future Awards 2026.
New categories, expanded industry partnerships and a larger national footprint are planned as the movement continues to grow.
Organisations interested in getting involved are encouraged to reach out early.
Media Enquiries
📩 info@buildingthefutureawards.co.uk