The annual awards celebrated civil and infrastructure engineering talent from across the region.
Galliford Try has been recognised by the judges at the ICE East Midlands Merit Awards (EMMAs) as the standout organisation of the year.
A partner across multiple entries, the construction company partnered in three winning entries: the Large Project, Social Value and Health & Safety Awards. It was Highly Commended in a further three.
Celebrating civil and infrastructure engineering brilliance across the region, the 2026 ICE EMMAs entries reflected the breadth and diversity of the industry.
Two hundred guests gathered for the awards ceremony in Nottingham, where they heard from ICE President David Porter and after-dinner speaker, academic-historian Dr Onyeka Nubia.
Project award winners
Galliford Try and GHD received the Merit Award in the Health & Safety category for the Hill View Road Storm Overflow Upgrade.
The project adopted a proactive, evidence-based approach to identifying hazards and managing risk. The virtual planning they used removed uncertainty and enabled risks to be addressed before arriving onsite.
In the same category, MWH Treatment was Highly Commended for their work on Wanlip Water Treatment Upgrades.
The North and East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road, delivered by Galliford Try, Leicestershire County Council and AECOM, received the Merit Award in the Large Project and Social Value categories.
The brand new 7km bypass will reduce town centre congestion and demonstrated carbon-saving initiatives, including the use of cold-mix asphalt containing 92% recycled materials. Created onsite, these construction methods significantly reduced transport emissions and improved efficiency.
Ashbourne Reborn: Town Centre Transformation, delivered by Danaher & Walsh Civil Engineering and Galliford Try, was Highly Commended in the same category. Work on the public realm scheme has improved town centre footfall by around 30%. The scheme saw footpaths widened, Grade II listed streetscapes restored and crossings upgraded.
Derby’s Witches Oak Floating Wetlands received the Merit Award, in a new award category this year: Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, sponsored by WM Plant Hire.
The judges recognised project partners Mott Macdonald Bentley and Severn Trent Water for their use of nature-based solutions. These mimicked elements of self-sustaining, naturally occurring riparian wetlands (those next to rivers or streams). The scheme also used 31 floating wetlands across three gravel lakes.
People award winners
Rising Star Award
Hannah Deane, a degree apprentice at Kier Infrastructure, received the Rising Star Award for her outstanding achievements in civil and infrastructure engineering.
Deane’s built a reputation for her engineering judgement and her independent design on a new contraflow cycleway (travelling opposite to motor traffic) within a sensitive heritage area in Northamptonshire was cited.
Michael Dixon, a graduate assistant engineer at Arcadis, was Highly Commended in the same category.
Individual of the Year
Waterman Aspen’s East Midlands regional director, Teresa Hylton, was named Individual of the Year.
Responsible for 67 colleagues, Hylton is known for her passion for engineering, supporting others and leading with empathy.
She was instrumental in establishing a Women in Transport Hub in the East Midlands, which brings people together from all areas of the transport sector.
Hayley Jackson, a pre-construction manager at Coffey Construction, was Highly Commended in the same category for supporting students to deliver a full day of STEM activities for 90 visiting pupils.
Regional STEM Ambassador of the Year 2026 Award
Tanya Donkin, a Derby-based design lead at Mott MacDonald Bentley, won the 2026 ICE East Midlands Regional STEM Ambassador of the Year Award for her dedication to strengthening the visibility of civil and infrastructure engineering across schools and colleges.
Donkin’s enthusiasm for STEM activities is clear. She led 41 students through placements with design activities, site visits and presentations.
Donkin also supported the Girlguiding Magical Midlands event which attracted a whopping 6,500 Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Ranger.
To read details on the full list of winners, visit the ICE East Midlands webpage.
The ICE East Midlands Merit Awards were supported by headline sponsor Waterman Aspen and category sponsors WM Plant Hire and Taylor Woodrow.
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