Meet the CCS Grand Gala Awards 2026 Judges
At the heart of the CCS Grand Gala Awards 2026 is a distinguished panel of judges, bringing a wealth of experience from across construction and the built environment. With expertise spanning planning, communications, leadership, risk and workforce wellbeing, our judges will draw on their knowledge and experience to review this year’s submissions and recognise the people, projects and organisations making an outstanding contribution to the industry.
Mark Spence
Construction Employers Federation (CEF)
Chief Executive
Mark Spence is Chief Executive of the Construction Employers Federation (CEF), representing around 800 contractors across Northern Ireland. He leads engagement with government, public procuring authorities and professional bodies to ensure the industry’s priorities are clearly heard.
He is also a founding director of Construction Futures, an industry-led initiative promoting leadership, innovation, collaboration and inclusion while helping attract, develop and retain talent across the sector.
With more than 30 years’ experience across the UK and Irish construction industries, Mark has advised on major PPP capital project procurements and previously led business development for a main contractor.
He is the Northern Ireland Devolved Nations representative on the Construction Leadership Council and a former chair of the Northern Ireland Construction Group. Mark has held several ministerial appointments and served on public and sectoral boards, including the Labour Relations Agency, Northern Ireland Procurement Board, Co-ownership Housing, a local enterprise agency and the NHBC Northern Ireland Committee.
Emma Collings
Colliers UK
Marketing & Communications Director
Emma Collings is Marketing & Communications Director at Colliers UK and a member of the UK Executive Board. With more than 20 years’ experience spanning real estate, retail, professional services and consumer businesses, she has built her career around understanding the relationship between people, place and reputation, and the role businesses play in shaping all three.
Before joining Colliers, Emma spent a decade at British Land, most recently as Group Head of Marketing. There she worked across some of the UK’s most significant developments and regeneration projects, as well as a diverse portfolio spanning offices, retail, science and technology, logistics and mixed-use places. That experience shaped her belief that the impact of the built environment begins long before a building is finished. How organisations behave, communicate and engage with the people and communities around them matters, both to the experience of a place and to the trust and reputation they build.
Alongside her executive career, Emma is a Trustee of New Diorama Theatre and holds an MBA from the University of Exeter. She returns to the Considerate Constructors Scheme Grand Gala judging panel, having previously served as a judge in 2025.
Dr Luke Hands
Construction Safety, Risk & Wellbeing Specialist
Dr Luke Hands is a senior HSQE leader in the construction industry with over 15 years' experience delivering complex projects across the UK and Ireland. He holds a PhD in Risk Management, specialising in mental health within the construction sector, and is recognised for his work in advancing organisational approaches to workforce wellbeing.
His doctoral research, 'From Stigma to Support: Investigating Employer-Led Interventions for Enhancing Mental Health in the Construction Industry,' focuses on how businesses can implement effective, practical strategies to support mental health at scale. Luke's work combines academic research with operational delivery, enabling organisations to embed sustainable, evidence-based wellbeing practices into high-risk environments.
He is actively involved in shaping industry conversations around mental health, with a focus on leadership accountability, cultural change, and integrating wellbeing into core business performance. In 2025, Luke was awarded the CCS Icon Award in recognition of his contribution to the industry.
Catherine Williams
Home Builders Federation
Planning Director
Catherine Williams is Planning Director at the Home Builders Federation, responsible for planning-related activities at a national level, advocating for member interests with Government and national stakeholders.
She leads a team of regional planning managers who represent member interests in Local Plan consultations and examinations.
Catherine has worked as a planner for over 15 years, with experience in the private and public sectors, and advising on major planning applications and planning promotion.
Â
Â
Â
Sandi Rhys Jones
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
Global Fellows Sponsor
Sandi Rhys Jones has spent five decades in construction, engineering and property. A chartered construction manager, Fellow and President of the Chartered Institute of Building 2023/2024, Sandi’s presidential theme was ‘collaboration with challenge’, reflecting her long commitment to improving standards, performance and culture in the built environment.
Active in numerous government/industry initiatives, a businesswoman, employer, non executive director, chair, mentor and coach, she brings hands-on industry experience with innovative thought leadership to drive long awaited change in an industry she champions as essential to society.
Appointed OBE in 1998 for her work, she has numerous industry awards and honorary doctorates from Sheffield Hallam, the University of the Built Environment and the University of Westminster.
Â
Dana James-Edwards
Supply Chain Sustainability School
Head of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR)
Dana is the Head of Fairness Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Programme at Action Sustainability.
Dana’s FIR Programme team works to keep the work of inclusion front-of-mind in the industry and to benchmark and communicate both progress and ways to go, leading discussions and showcasing and celebrating best practices for inclusion across the sector. The free industry-endorsed resources, training, initiatives, reports, events and conferences the team works on, help address workplace culture challenges and build fair and respectful working environments.
A native Trinidadian, Dana has now lived in the UK for over 20 years. She has spent the entirety of her career helping organisations build diverse brands and workforces that are representative of the wider world around us, while shaping inclusive cultures where people want to stick around. She has worked across a wide range of industries from Professional Services and Consultancy to Oil and Gas to Pharmaceuticals and the NHS. Dana is also a trained and certified Mediator and Mental Health First Aider.
Outside of work, Dana prioritises time with her family especially time spent in the great outdoors. Growing up in the Caribbean fostered her passion for swimming, so she also spends lots of time at her local pool and lido, even though the waters never quite reach tropical temperatures.
Sarah Bolton
The Lighthouse Charity
CEO
Sarah has been CEO of the Lighthouse Charity since 1st April 2024. She joined the charity in 2018 as Wellbeing Manager, progressing to Director of Charitable Services and then Chief Operating Officer.
Her passion and expertise lies in delivering support services that make a direct and sustainable impact on the wellbeing of communities and she has acquired a wealth of knowledge in a variety of public and charity sector roles.
She has been responsible for transforming the face of the charity’s front facing services and under her leadership, the charity has expanded its reach, broadened its impact, and refined its approach to delivering vital emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to the construction community.