Historic works at London’s Kings Cross help Emily Hoggins to construction industry’s gold award

Emily, 33, works construction firm BAM. She has led the team that built 22 Handyside Street, considered one of the highest risk construction projects in the UK. Three Grade II-listed rail tunnels run a metre below the foundations of the super-lightweight bespoke-concrete build. 

The expertise of the BAM team she led on her first job as project manager has won her a gold medal from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in the office category of the Construction Manager of the Year Awards this week.

A spokesperson for the CIOB, said: ‘Emily overcame the formidable difficulty of this three-storey office block with determination and inspiring leadership. In Emily’s first role as Project Manager, she delivered on programme and within budget, and was commended by both client and architect.’

Emily, who grew up in East Grinstead, commutes from her home in Horsham on a frequent basis to work for BAM in London, where it has created many iconic structures such as the new Metropolitan Police HQ, the members’ stand at Lord’s and now, at Kings Cross, a building that will soon become the primary residence for global social media giant, Facebook.

Emily commented: “I’m delighted to be a Construction Manager of the Year winner, it’s a huge compliment and achievement to be recognised for doing your job, I’m at the classic ‘it doesn’t feel real’ stage! Most importantly it’s not a case of ‘I’, it’s a case of ‘we’. Nothing is possible without your team and although we faced some tough challenges, we learned, adapted and worked through them together. It’s also important to be creating buildings with digital techniques and making them so sustainable; the industry is making huge strides in these respects. I’m thrilled that 22 Handyside Street is also a stunning building to look at. This award is not only a testament to the team and to me, but a testament to the industry; because when the world shut down, we carried on, alongside other key workers.”

The massive transformation of Kings Cross has been led by far-sighted developer, Argent, and is so huge – it’s a 67-acre estate in the heart of London – that it has its own customised post-code: N1C. Emily has already worked on a cultural building there for the Aga Khan Foundation. ‘BAM seems to attract the most eminent and ambitious clients in the UK,’ she added.

Emily joined BAM 12 years ago after studying for her construction degree at the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol.

The judging panel were highly impressed with Emily’s first project management role, citing negotiating live rail tunnels, a unique roof design, extinction rebellion protests and getting it done alongside a global pandemic.

BAM also won the team of the year award, for its work at Kings Cross on the Facebook scheme.