CICES hands out first equity, diversity and inclusion awards at Bristol dinner

The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) has named Simon Navin of Ordnance Survey and Hannah Jenkins of People Plus Cymru as the first winners of its equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) awards.

The awards were presented at the institution's Annual Dinner, which CICES's event page lists as taking place at Delta Hotels by Marriott, Bristol City Centre, on 25 September 2026. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) reported the results on 22 October.

Navin, Head of Geospatial Services at Ordnance Survey and a former chair of the CICES EDI Council, received the EDI Trailblazer Award. Jenkins won the EDI Voice Award for work tackling social inequality and creating opportunities for disadvantaged people, according to the CIC.

Simon Navin, Head of Geospatial Services at Ordnance Survey, said: "I'm incredibly proud to receive the inaugural CICES EDI Trailblazer Award. It recognises not just something I care deeply about, but the practical action needed to turn equity, diversity and inclusion from good intentions into lasting change."

The winners

Navin said his involvement with CICES has included the Council of Management, the presidential chain and previously chairing its EDI Council. Simon Hamlyn, CICES chief executive, said Navin had helped establish EDI principles as an integral part of the institution and the wider profession.

Jenkins's award recognised work carried out on secondment with Sacyr UK, where the CIC said she had supported initiatives helping people facing barriers, including homelessness, into training and employment.

Hannah Jenkins, EDI Voice Award winner, said: "This award is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the collective efforts of everyone working towards a more inclusive culture." She singled out partners and subcontractors for their part in embedding EDI.

Hamlyn said Jenkins's commitment had helped amplify important perspectives and contribute to a more inclusive profession.

The Cardiff scheme

Separately, Sacyr UK, the contractor building the new Velindre Cancer Centre, has described a pre-employment initiative on which Jenkins was quoted. The company said it had partnered with Cardiff Council on the initiative, aimed at people re-entering the workforce.

The scheme offered a two-week course for six candidates, sourced by Onsite Construction Academy, aimed at a CSCS qualification followed by a week of practical work experience, Sacyr said. The company said it worked with PeoplePlus JGW+ on the initiative.

On that page Sacyr introduced Jenkins as Workforce Development Coordinator at Sacyr UK, while the CIC describes her as being of People Plus Cymru on secondment with the contractor. In the Sacyr page, Jenkins said the project was helping LTU or NEET individuals back into work.

How the awards were judged

CICES launched the awards with two categories. The institution said the Voice in EDI award was for people making a measurable impact in the immediate term, while the Trailblazer award honoured a long-term commitment to the cause.

Entries closed on 30 June 2026 and could be submitted by peers or by self-nomination. All entries were reviewed and voted on by the CICES EDI Council, with an emphasis on tangible, measurable results, the institution said.

At the launch, Hamlyn said equity, diversity and inclusion were not add-ons to the job but the job itself. Nicki Clancy, CICES EDI Council chair, said the awards provided a platform to recognise and share good practice.

The dinner

Topcon Positioning Systems sponsored the EDI awards. CICES's event page lists CHC Nav, Leica Geosystems and Korec as event sponsors and Apps in CADD as drinks reception sponsor. The evening also included a charity raffle for Action for Children, the charity chosen by immediate past president Alex Pearsall.

CICES began in 1969 as the Association of Surveyors in Civil Engineering and was incorporated in 1972. Its members work across construction commercial management and geospatial engineering. Marek Suchocki is president for 2026-2027.