2026 Winners

Best Use of Technology


Best use of AI & Machine Learning

Winner:

  • Inframind Labs - AI-powered digital inspector for ageing masonry infrastructure

The judges were impressed by the submission's clear and pressing challenge in tunnel inspection and the wider geotechnical and infrastructure sector. The submission stood out for its practical deployment and measurable operational gains, translating advanced technology into real-world impact rather than theoretical promise. Judges highlighted the strength of the collaborative approach behind the work and its clear potential to scale across future projects.


Finalists

  • Geprode Consultores - Georisco: From settlement prediction to AI-driven damage forecasting in buildings and infrastructure services


Best use of Data – Application

Winner:

  • Federation of Piling Specialists - Piling data sharing map

This submission showcased an initiative that will clearly benefit the piling industry in the long term. The judges were impressed by its focus on future roadmaps, development and scalability, and felt this platform would be a strong and powerful addition to the industry, particularly through enabling more frequent sharing of pile test data, lessons learnt and as-built data required for the re-use of piled foundations. While the quantification of cost savings could be developed further, the panel agreed that the initiative realistically demonstrates achievable efficiencies and savings, with planned further development set to enhance quality, efficiency and deliverability across the sector.

Finalists

  • CGL - Designing with data: transforming ground behaviour into engineering decisions
  • Dywidag - Smart Guard system
  • VolkerFitzpatrick - Southern Renewals Enterprise


Best use of Data – Projects

Winner:

  • Buro Happold - Everton Football Club’s Hill Dickinson stadium

This project clearly demonstrated the strategic use of data at every stage of the project lifecycle to unlock successful project outcomes. The judges were particularly impressed with the innovative use of multiple datasets and continuation feedback loop between prediction, settlement monitoring and construction decision. It is a great blueprint for the use of ground data on future projects.

Finalists

  • AtkinsRéalis & WSP - A83 Rest and Be Thankful
  • CGL - Beyond boreholes: Using near-surface seismic data to transform excavatability assessments
  • CGL - Using 3D ERT and intrusive data to de-risk chalk dissolution at a site in Hertfordshire
  • Mott MacDonald & Bam - Eastern Green Link 2
  • RSK Geosciences - Sea Supply project


Best use of Geospatial & UAV Technology

Winner:

  • Development Bureau, CEDD, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong - Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen new development area: Second phase development

The SmartEye system is a standout innovation that eliminates risk by reducing the need for traditional surveying in hazardous site environments. Through strong collaboration and advanced technology, it delivers accurate, near real-time data to multiple stakeholders that improves safety, efficiency, and project outcomes.

Finalists

  • AtkinsRéalis & WSP - A83 Rest and Be Thankful
  • Geofem - Unique combination of InSAR and in situ surveys to monitor embankment settlement on Arnhem Highway, Australia


Best use of Instrumentation & Monitoring

Winner:

  • Mott MacDonald & Bam - Eastern Green Link 2

Entry clearly demonstrated collaboration and partnership between all parties. Excellent demonstration of the application of the observational method with a clear and measurable positive outcome returning significant cost and carbon savings.

Finalists

  • Eddyfi Remote Monitoring - Smart imaging technology to support wireless earthworks monitoring
  • Mott MacDonald Bentley - Longbridge Sewage Treatment Works green recovery
  • Murphy Geospatial & Woolpert - Real time abnormal load monitoring
  • Woolpert - Precision in motion


Best use of Subsurface Modelling

Winner:

  • Mott Macdonald -  Ground model for new railway line Praha-Smíchov – Beroun

The team submission clearly demonstrates implementation of a sophisticated digital ground modelling workflow on a major infrastructure project and directly links the model to Eurocode 7 parameter selection. The use of geological domains to improve characteristic value selection is particularly strong. The entry provides measurable programme benefits (30% reduction in delivery duration) and a clear explanation of how modelling influenced engineering judgement. It uses available industry tools to maximise and harness the benefits of the existing tool for real world improvement on a major project with known geological and geotechnical constraints for delivering better project outcomes.

Finalists

  • AtkinsRéalis - Seeing beneath the subsurface: Using integrated ground models to understand ground conditions and mitigate risk at Sizewell C
  • CGL - Using 3D ERT and intrusive data to de-risk chalk dissolution at a site in Hertfordshire
  • CGL - From observation to optimisation: Transforming ground risk using integrated subsurface modelling
  • Expanded Piling - Sizewell C ground improvement
  • Mott MacDonald & Bam - Eastern Green Link 2
  • Select Plant Hire - Integrated n4ce automation and excel-based team coordination system


Best use of Sustainable Solutions

Winner:

  • JBA Consulting - South Bank watercourse

A great example of reuse of site won material to deliver a highly credible sustainable geotechnical solution at scale. The judges felt that this entry clearly showed measurable benefit through excellent cross desciplineray collaboration, delivered.

Finalists

  • Curtin University - Sustainable civil infrastructure through eco-innovative ground improvement
  • CWG -  Future-proofing foundations for reuse at One North Quay
  • Elysium Construction - 30 Ferncroft Avenue
  • GeoStruXer Constructs - Sustainable CMPRF foundations enabled by AI & InSAR – Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Transport for London - Earth structure remediation programme


Digital Tool of the Year

Winner:

  • Geoserve Global - AnchorTest

An excellent submission showcasing the successful automation of anchor testing and the modernisation of a specialist geotechnical activity through real-time digital workflows and cloud-based collaboration. The solution demonstrates clear practical value, moving the process towards a more efficient, connected, and data-driven approach.
Its deployment both across the UK and internationally, together with its active use on major projects, provides strong evidence of its scalability, industry relevance, and credibility. Overall, it is a compelling example of how digital innovation can transform a specialist geotechnical process and deliver tangible benefits in real-world project environments.

Finalists

  • Eddyfi Remote Monitoring - Camerahub: automated imaging to monitor remote assets
  • Inframind Labs - The Inframind platform
  • Jacobs - Jet – Transforming geotechnical design and delivery for infrastructure projects
  • Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong - Downhole RMR calculation tool
  • VolkerFitzpatrick - Inspection and test plan digital tool


Digital Transformation & Process Innovation Award

Winner:

  • National Grid - Great Grid Partnership portfolio

An excellent case study in multi-stakeholder collaboration, effectively demonstrating innovation and teamwork in a fragmented sector.  The submission clearly demonstrates integration of data and decision making efficiency across the full project lifecycle.  It represents a transparent and robust common data platform and process management system to significantly improve information retention and sharing.  Effectively dovetailing the design and construction stages into a seamless and traceable process.  It is a clear example of maximising the use and harnessing the power of available digital tools in a scalable and extrapolatable manner across the breadth of the industry.

Finalists

  • Geprode Consultores - Georisco: From reactive surveys to predictive risk management: Digital transformation of building vulnerability assessment


Emerging Technology Award

Winner:

  • Inframind Labs - AI-powered digital inspector for ageing masonry infrastructure

This emerging technology clearly addresses an existing problem in the ground engineering industry. It supports engineers to work efficiently, asset owners to better define the condition of their inventory, and supply chains informed of potential remedial works required. The use of synthetic data to train the model and expertly label defects for validation was truly impressive. The technology developed has had industry wide support from key asset owners across multiple sectors, and more approaching the applicant to utilises their software. Framed as a tool to help engineers transition into a data rich environment, this technology is becoming the industry norm and best practice for effective asset management. 

Finalists

  • Marshall Drilling -  Spider Excavator -  Ground Investigation Drilling Rig
  • Murphy Geospatial & Woolpert - Kairosense: Point to point radio interferometric monitoring
  • Select Plant Hire - Underground / utility capture


Smart Asset Management Award

Winner:

  • Jacobs - A83 Rest and Be Thankful

This entry clearly met all of the award criteria, standing out for its simplicity and the clarity of its community benefit. The judges were particularly struck by its direct value to the public, offering a straightforward tool that reduces risk and increases public safety on landslide-prone slopes. Its scalability to other at-risk locations was evident, underlining the entry's potential for wider impact beyond its initial application.

Finalists

  • AtkinsRéalis, Environment Agency & British Geological Survey - Powderham Banks improvement project
  • Dywidag -  Smart Guard system

Organisation


Instrumentation & Monitoring Specialist of the Year

Winner:

  • Wisen Innovation

Wisen have delivered a bespoke and innovative instrumentation and monitoring scheme tailored to challenging site conditions, working collaboratively with the client, contractors and designers, to deliver results in a high risk, complex environment in real time. This facilitated early detection of movement and aided the risk management process.

Finalists

  • Select Plant Hire
  • VolkerFitzpatrick


Plant & Equipment Provider of the Year

Winner:

  • Marshall Drilling

Marshall Drilling has demonstrated outstanding innovation through its rotary coring excavator mast, enhancing drilling capability for complex and restricted-access sites. Supported by investment in specialist equipment, recruitment, and training, the company is delivering tangible value to the geotechnical sector and future workforce.

Finalists

  • SolGen


Technology Provider of the Year

Winner:

  • Inframind Labs

The winner of this catagory is a technology provider whose platform turns routine survey data into a continuously updated digital twin of ageing masonry tunnels, bridges and retaining walls. The measurable impact is particularly persuasive with the reduction in report production time by approximately 95%.

Finalists

  • Dywidag
  • Leica Geosystems

People


GeoTech Leader of the Year

Winner:

  • Arup - Ben Gilson

Ben has demonstrated that he is a global digital leader at the forefront of advancement across a number of fronts. He is an advocate for data sharing, and has particpated in knowledge sharing across may Ground Engineering forums including AI-related topics for CIRIA. He has demonstrated significant industry presence, particpating in multiple nationally significant projects for large Clients including National Grid, HS2, Crossrail and GGP. He has acted as an ambassador for the Industry attending Parliamentary Hearings including the Geotechnical Data for Growth Bill.

Finalists

  • Robert Bird Group - Rhea Albelda
  • Select Plant Hire - Lucio Alcalde
  • University of Cambridge, Inframind Labs - Dr Brian Sheil


GeoTech Team of the Year

Winner:

  • AtkinsRéalis, Environment Agency & British Geological Survey

This diverse team from different disciplines has aligned to deliver impactful results for a specific problem. The entry clearly shows the teams strengths in adoption of available technologies to improve efficiency and safety.

Finalists

  • Align-D: Rendel, Jacobs and Align JV: Bouygues Travaux Publics, VolkerFitzpatrick and Sir Robert McAlpine
  • Select Plant Hire
  • VolkerFitzpatrick and Network Rail as part of the Southern Renewals Enterprise