The first woman has scooped Construction Manager of the Year.

Margaret Conway of McAleer & Rushe beat 84 finalists to the trophy.

Her achievement is all the more spectacular because it was her first role as a construction manager. She completed the 80 week project two months early with a clean health and safety record and an Excellent BREEAM rating.

She started working on 9 Adelaide, a nine storey office block in Belfast city centre, as bid manager for McAleer and Rushe.

Appointed project manager at pre-contract phase, she worked closely with client Belfast City Council on a major redesign, reducing the height of the building and saving the client £500,000. An even greater cost-saving measure involved adapting the existing raft foundations for the new superstructure, saving a further £750,000. Her collaborative approach enabled the £22 million project to accommodate substantial late design changes without losing valuable time from the schedule.

-- Advertisement --

In order to keep the programme on track, Margaret showed great adaptability in the sequencing of work. She divided floor plates into two work zones, enabling fitout to start in the central core area before the facade was completed. Her plant and access strategy kept work streams flowing and the budget under tight control.

Although new to construction management, Margaret has already become a trailblazer for her employer McAleer & Rushe. 9 Adelaide was the first project that the contractor carried out to BIM Level 2. Margaret also introduced a new software system to streamline the snagging process. It has proved so successful it is being rolled out across all McAleer & Rushe sites.

One of only four female finalists to reach CMYA this year, Margaret used her role to inspire and encourage young people – especially women - to enter the industry. She fostered a close relationship with local non profit organisation Womenstec, arranging tours and lectures from local colleges as well as placements for joinery, plumbing and electrical students. Some have since gone on to find work in the sector. Others have enrolled in construction courses.

Margaret's win follows that of McAleer & Rushe colleague, Paul Marlow who won CMYA in 2016 for a £29 million student accommodation project in Stratford, East London.

CIOB President Rebecca Thompson said: "Margaret is a true inspiration for anyone thinking of entering this exciting and challenging industry. As well as remaining in control of the immense technical and logistical challenges of her day job, her inclusive style has encouraged young people to get involved in construction. Our sector badly needs a more diverse workforce and Margaret shines out as a young leader who is making a genuine difference. We will watch her career with great interest."