Young achievers shine at industry awards

Kristina Frood, a structural engineer from Aecom, has won the engineering prize in the Duke of Gloucester’s Young Achievers Scheme. The Young Achievers awards are presented annually to young people that have overcome barriers to succeed in their chosen profession in the construction industry.

Frood, a 26 year old from Wokingham, was said to have impressed the judges with her clear, focused and energetic approach to engineering. She has worked on a number of high profile construction projects but still finds time to help run after school clubs to encourage children's development with maths and sciences. 

Other winners presented with Duke of Gloucester Young Achievers awards, at the Underglobe in London, included Tes Adamou of Arcadis in the project management category. Shane Evans from Carmarthanshire County Council collected the design, planning and architecture award.

The finalists were judged by a panel of industry experts through a process of presentations and interviews earlier this year.

Construction Youth Trust director, Christine Townley, said:

“The Awards are one of the highlights of my year. It is a real privilege to meet these talented young professionals. Their determination to achieve in their chosen careers is admirable and especially when they have all experienced barriers. It is important that the industry do more to support young people who are looking for a career in construction and help remove barriers to entry - because they are the future of the success of the industry,

“As a charity we support young people from all walks of life to enter the construction industry and we hope that by showcasing what these young people have achieved and recognising any challenges they have overcome, we can show the next generation of young professionals the wealth of opportunities available in the sector. 

“We are extremely grateful to all of our sponsors, judges and our Patron, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, for making these awards possible.”

The full list of winners:

Engineering: Kristina Scheibler Frood, Aecom

Construction Delivery: Paige Finnerty, Mace

Project Management: Tes Adamou, Arcadis

Surveying: Amy Bracey, Hartnell Taylor Cook

Design, Planning and Architecture and Winner of Winners: Shane Evans, Carmarthanshire County Council 

The 2016 Duke of Gloucester Young Achievers Awards were sponsored by CITB, KPMG, Aecom, Arcadis, Atkins and CIOB.