City Building is celebrating after winning the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development for a second time.
The Glasgow construction firm’s successful bid was announced on Saturday 21 April, which is designated as the Queen’s Official Birthday. It previously won the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development in 2012.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise recognise and celebrate business excellence in the fields of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity (through social mobility). They are UK’s most prestigious business awards and are regarded as the pinnacle of business achievement.
Established in 2006, City Building has grown to become one of Scotland’s largest construction firms, employing over 2,200 staff and providing a wide range of construction, maintenance and manufacturing services.
The organisation was recognised for its unique social ethos which includes providing sustainable employment for a diverse range of people including those with disabilities and other under-represented groups.
The company’s socially responsible approach also underpins its business operations, ranging from its procurement processes, which aim to support local or sustainable organisations, to its waste management. The business has reduced its waste by 10% over the past five years. Of the remaining waste, 93% is re-used or recycled and further methods to divert waste from landfill are being developed. Meanwhile, the firm has cut its electricity and water consumption by 18% and 15% respectively since 2012.
Councillor Greg Hepburn, Chair of City Building (Contracts), said: “It is a huge honour to receive our second Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development. As well as being a major boost for our workforce, it is also fantastic for our customers, our suppliers and the communities in which we work and serve.
“This award shows that we are leading the way in the construction industry and will put the company in a strong position to develop and grow.”
City Building’s youth employment strategy was also crucial to its success. The Glasgow firm operates Scotland’s largest apprentice programme, with a completion rate of 94% compared to an industry average of 75%. It employs 20% of all female craft apprentices in Scotland.
Gordon Sloan, chair of City Building (Glasgow), added: “By putting sustainability at the heart of its operations, City Building is helping to deliver stronger and safer communities. Its unique approach is also creating employment opportunities that will enable Glasgow to thrive.”
