Firm building its reputation in the construction industry
A Southwick-based company involved with some of the region’s most eye-catching buildings is celebrating after being named the North East’s construction industr y ’s S m a l l a n d M e d i u msized Enterprise (SME) of the Year.
Identity Consult won the title at the prestigious Constructing Excellence In The
North East (CENE) Awards. The company received the award at a virtual presentation, with the ceremony being held online due to COVID-19.
IdentityConsulthelpeddevelop both The Beam and The Beacon of Light, as well as the refurbishment of Hays Travel’snationalHQinKeelSquare.
The development and construction consultancy firm, based at Quays West near the Alexandra Bridge, has grown steadily since it was founded in 2006. It supplies a range of services to the construction industry, including project management, employer’s agent cost management and digital services.
The company has been involved in numerous health and education projects and is delivering a series of projects with the University of Sunderland. Other high-profile projects are at Lower Steenberg’s Yard in Newcastle and the redevelopment of Smith’s Dock Shipyard in North Shields.
Managing director Mark Doherty believes the judges were impressed by Identity
Consult’s decision to invest in staff development at a time when many in the construction industry were looking at cutting back.
He said: “What underpinned our success more than anything this year, was investment in people development.
“That might have felt counter-intuitive in an industry facing a challenging climate, but it has been key to achieving our goals.
“More than that, it has contributed to a growing sense of togetherness in a period where our workforce grew by morethan20%andweopened a third office in Yorkshire, adding to our existing offices in the North East and North West.
"The award is a huge recognition for the hard work we’ve put into creating a company that aims to exceed our clients’ expectations, really invests in its staff in terms of training, job satisfaction and health and wellbeing.
"But it also recognises the importance we can play in our local communities.”