Amos Simbo, founder of Black Professionals In Construction (BPIC) is among the industry figures recognised in the New Year’s honours list.
Simbo was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the construction industry and to diversity.
Simbo has been heavily involved in work to attract and retain ethnic minority talent in the industry.
This year’s list of medals included a wide cross-section of industry figures.
Gill Riley, managing director of mini crane supplier GGR Group, was promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the lifting industry. She had already been awarded an OBE.
The chief operating officer of Vascroft Contractors Ltd, Chandni Vora, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to business and to charity.
The same honour was also awarded to Robert Purvis, director of Purvis Plant Hire, for services to the community in Fife.
Sharon Smyth, chief executive of construction procurement delivery in the Northern Ireland civil service was made a CBE.
This year’s list also recognised people working to modernise the construction industry.
Dr Wei Yang, chief executive and co-founder of the Digital Task Force for planning and chair of the Construction Industry Council was awarded an OBE for her services to the town planning industry.
The same award went to Ian Moore, chief executive of the Fire Industry Association, for his contribution to public safety.
Also recognised for improving fire safety was Aman Sharma, chief executive of Totus Digital, who was awarded an MBE.
Professor Bamidele Adebisi, head of smart infrastructure and the industry research group at Manchester Metropolitan University, was recognised as an OBE for knowledge transfer.
Professor Paul Brickell, former executive director of regeneration and community partnerships at the London Legacy Development Corporation, was awarded the same medal for his work on the post-2012 regeneration of east London.
Paul Caddick , the founder of housebuilder Caddick Group, was made an OBE for services to sport, as the owner of Leeds Rhinos rugby club.
An OBE also went to Sandy Adam, chair of Springfield Properties, for services to the construction industry in Scotland.
The chief executive of the Health and Safety Executive, Sarah Albon, was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath, for public service.
Albon said: “I have been very fortunate to work with dedicated and talented colleagues throughout my career and I see this award as testament to their achievements as much as my own.”
A knighthood was awarded to Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network Rail, for services to the transport sector.
He said: “I am incredibly honoured to receive this award. It’s not every day a boy from a comprehensive school in Merthyr Tydfil, or indeed anyone from the railway, is recognised in this way, so it is immensely humbling.
“It’s a tribute to the work of the many thousands of people in the rail sector.”
