MHA+ Annual Awards 2026: winners announced

The winners of the MHA+ Annual Awards 2026 were announced at this year’s Annual Event, held on 23 September at Holywell Park Conference Centre in Loughborough. The awards, presented by Karen Notman, General Manager of MHA+, and Chris Green, recognised outstanding innovation delivered through MHA+ frameworks across three categories.

With eight strong finalists across the three categories, this year’s vote was one of the closest yet, decided on the day by MHA+ Annual Event attendees.

Best Use of Innovation to Build Resilience was won by Amey and Staffordshire County Council, for the successful strengthening of a Victorian masonry arch bridge over a live railway, using innovative digital modelling and fibre reinforced concrete techniques to preserve the asset with minimal disruption and reduced carbon impact. The award was collected by Chris Plant, Amey Consulting.

 

Best Use of Innovation in Local Transport was won by Amey and Nottingham City Council, for the feasibility study and preliminary design of Nottingham’s first new River Trent crossing in 60 years, an innovative network arch foot and cycle bridge that opened in June 2026. The award was collected by Thomas Kenny, Amey.

 

Best Use of Innovation in Construction of Local Infrastructure was won by Galliford Try and Lincolnshire County Council, for the Grantham Southern Relief Road project, which demonstrated a safer, faster bridge girder installation method, improving efficiency and eliminating risks from high-voltage overhead cables. The award was collected by Daniel Watt, Galliford Try.

 

Congratulations to all three winning teams, and to every one of this year’s finalists. With entries covering everything from climate resilience to workforce innovation and construction safety, this year’s shortlist reflected the breadth of genuine innovation happening across MHA+ frameworks.