Global sustainable development consultancy Arup has been celebrated at this year’s MCA Awards across both people and project categories.

The firm won the Sustainability Project of the Year Award for its contribution to the Burrell Collection with Glasgow Life, and received highly commended in the Strategy category for its partnership with Birmingham City Council to deliver the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Olivia Sullivan, based in the firm’s Bristol office, won the Apprentice of the Year Award in recognition of her dedication to sustainable and equitable outcomes in the project management field.

The Management Consultancies Association (MCA) Awards annually recognise the leading examples of industry excellence, demonstrating consultants’ vital role in shaping strategy, delivering results and enabling positive impact for organisations across both the private and public sector.

Olivia Sullivan wins apprentice of the year
Olivia Sullivan at the MCA Awards 2023 ceremony.

The Sustainability Project of the Year Award recognises initiatives that have delivered environmental benefit to both the client and wider society, aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Arup took a “fabric first” approach to the refurbishment of the Burrell Collection, utilising as much of the existing material as possible to reimagine the Category-A listed building. The project provided the construction industry with a proof-of-concept for architectural glass recovery and is widely acknowledged as creating a blueprint fostered by collaboration, research and expertise that can be applied across the built environment in future refurbishment schemes. Saving over 8.5 tonnes of aluminium and 16 tonnes of glass, the Burrell Collection is now in the top 10% of energy-efficient buildings in the UK.

The Burrell Collection saved over 16 tonnes of glass. © Hufton+Crow
The Burrell Collection saved over 16 tonnes of glass. © Hufton+Crow

In partnership with Birmingham City Council, Arup was highly commended in the Strategy category for the delivery of the Commonwealth Games 2022. With just four years to prepare instead of seven, the success of the Games embodied the spirit and collaboration of the two organisations. Utilising digital tools to coordinate impactful sporting and community-based events, the programme was a celebration of Birmingham, mobilising public support to deliver a clear roadmap to the Games.