EC Harris scores hat-trick of wins at Building Awards

At the third annual awards, the firm was awarded the International Achievement trophy for its impressive portfolio of work around the world. The judges were particularly impressed with how the business had established itself as a market leader among almost 300 other consultants based in the Middle East in the past 30 years.

This success was built on EC Harris' extensive network of regional offices and its alliances with high-profile clients on landmark projects, such as The Lagoons, the Central Market development and the Al Raha beach development in Abu Dhabi, and the Tiger Woods Dubai complex.

Earlier, at the event held at London's Vinopolis venue, EC Harris had picked up the Best All-round firm and lead project manager Ian Cook was named QS Champion of the Year.

The judges awarded EC Harris the Best All-round Firm award for its remarkable ability to adapt to clients' changing needs. They were particularly impressed with the firm's diverse client list which ranged from the successful delivery of Heathrow Terminal 5, work for HSBC in Asia and for Lexus in Europe.

The Champion of the Year award goes to the year's outstanding professional. Many people overcome personal setbacks to achieve their career goals, but few have had to cope with more than Ian Cook.

In January 2004, Ian, then 38 and a senior project manager, contracted streptococcal septicaemia, lapsed into a coma and nearly died. Over the next nine months he had no fewer than 20 operations including the amputation of all his limbs. Despite this, he returned to work - on a home-working basis - in June 2005, having first project-managed the conversion of his Cotswolds home.

Even though his mobility is restricted and prevents him from travelling as extensively as he used to as a project manager, he can walk unaided and has passed his driving test in an adapted car. Currently Ian is working with major household names such as Safeway, Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer.

The judges said of Ian, "His in-depth knowledge and experience are as valuable to his employer as ever, and his story is truly inspiring."

Mark Prior, Regional Managing Director for EC Harris in the Middle East, said:

"The success at these awards reaffirms our status as the leader in our industry. Our work internationally and in building a modern consultancy has been rightly recognised as leading the way in delivering value to our clients wherever they are."

Vanessa Littler, from EC Harris' Infrastructure team in Liverpool, was a runner-up in the QS Champion of the Year award for her charity work in helping orphans in Romania. London-based Property Consultant, Nitin Boodhuin was also a runner-up in the QS Young Achiever of the Year category. He has worked at T5 and on the £215m development in Chester town centre. Nitin has also been working part-time towards an MBA in construction and real estate at the University of Reading for the past three years.

The awards, organised by Building magazine, were hosted by Doctor Phil Hammond who praised the industry for raising the standards of new hospitals and medical buildings.