Sustainability champion, Kirils Holstovs, has been crowned North East Future Leader at the Generation4Change (G4C) Awards 2022.
Kirils, was nominated by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and is employed by infrastructure consulting firm AECOM.
The awards are held in association with Constructing Excellence in the North East. Northern Counties Builders Federation (NCBF) was the headline sponsor.
G4C aims to harness the young professional voice, driving continuous improvement in the UK built environment industry and the awards evening was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the region’s talent pool.
As Future Leader winner, Kirils, will go on to the national final, held at the London Grosvenor Hotel in November.
Also shortlisted within the category were Laura Alexander, nominated and employed by Turner & Townsend and Rosie Thirlwell, nominated and employed by FaulknerBrowns Architects.
Kirils was applauded by the judges for his commitment to sustainability and playing a key role in climate mitigation and adaption, not just within AECOM, but the wider civil engineering and built environment sectors.
Category award winners on the night were
David Harrison, nominated and employed by T. Clarke and Dylan Powell, nominated and employed by Gowland and Dawson, Apprentice of the Year – Trade.
Laura McClorey, nominated and employed by FaulknerBrowns Architects, Apprentice of the Year – Technical.
Matt Beattie, nominated and employed by BAM Construction, Student of the Year.
Jessica Morgan, nominated and employed by Gleeds, Trainee of the Year.
India Hutchinson, nominated and employed by Esh-Stantec, New Professional of the Year.
Keith Moulder, nominated and employed by Believe Housing, Mentor of the Year.
Tilbury Douglas Construction won Commitment to Employee Training and Development.
Kirils Holstovs, said: “I am greatly honoured to be named the G4C Future Leader in the North East, especially knowing the amazingly talented and inspirational young professionals we have in the region. One of the very key priorities of my career is ensuring ambitious and timely action on climate change and sustainable development and I was proud to champion change at global events including the Pre-COP26 Youth4Climate conference in Milan and at COP26 in Glasgow. It is encouraging that the industry has been following the developments in climate policy and the best practice in its practical implementation so closely. As a part of AECOM, I have been working to update the relevant processes and scale up our capacity to deliver low carbon solutions on bridge engineering schemes.
“It is very inspiring to see the stories of personal impact of G4C young professionals, and I am very grateful that my work at AECOM, the wider industry and UN climate conferences is highlighted as a part of those stories.”
Catriona Lingwood, chief executive at Constructing Excellence in the North East, said: “Although the awards were held in association with Constructing Excellence, the G4C committee and regional co-chairs are very much to thank for a fantastic night.
“They work tirelessly throughout the year to promote and endorse their fellow peers and to ensure that there is a supportive network for people to tap into.
“We would also like to thank all of our sponsors and headline sponsor, Northern Counties Builders Federation (NCBF) for their continued support.”
Tony Kay, president, Northern Counties Builders Federation, said: “The G4C Awards highlight the calibre of our region’s young people. It is important that they are supported and encouraged as they progress through their careers as they will be our sector’s next generation of future leaders.
“Huge congratulations to all nominees and regional winners who have once again highlighted the passion and talent that we have within the built environment. This is a reflection of the companies they work for who are proactive in supporting their young workforce to develop.”