The British Council for Offices (BCO) revealed the winners of its NextGen Awards 2026 at a ceremony at Stereo Covent Garden in London last night.
Now in their 11th year, the awards recognise the accomplishments of young professionals, as well as the senior industry members and organisations that have supported them.
Winners included Ryan Reid from AECOM, who has used data collection, modelling and digital technologies to help teams understand complex heritage buildings, and Molly Gardner from Multiplex, who founded Girls in Construction on TikTok, which has garnered more than one million clicks since its launch.
Ella Griffin, chair of the BCO NextGen committee for London and the South East, said: “The sheer quality of talent among this year’s NextGen finalists was truly inspiring. What ultimately set the winners apart was their combination of professional achievement and commitment to actively driving positive change across the wider industry. The contribution of these individuals extends far beyond promoting their own organisations and reflects a genuine passion for advancing standards, supporting collaboration and investing in those considering or embarking on a career in our sector.”
Andy McBain, BCO president, added: “The BCO NextGen Awards should be seen as a beacon of optimism for everyone working in our sector. Along with demonstrable commercial success, the winners also show a deep empathy for people, places and the environment. Spanning the country and diverse commercial disciplines, many are already leading successful teams, and I look forward to seeing them extend their ethos and influence across more major projects and programmes in the years ahead.”
Samantha McClary, chief executive of the BCO, said: “The NextGen Awards celebrate the people who will shape the future of our sector, and if this year’s winners and entrants are anything to go by, our future is in excellent hands. What I love about the NextGen Awards is that they are about how the best people in our sector mentor, collaborate and challenge the rest of us to think differently about how workplaces are designed and delivered.
“Decarbonisation, changing work patterns and rising occupier expectations are reshaping our industry, so we truly need this mix of ambition and generosity right now. I couldn’t be more proud that, at the BCO, we give this incredible talent the opportunity to shine and be celebrated.”
The winners of the BCO NextGen Awards 2026 are:
NextGen Rising Star – London & South East: Alejandro Mar Morales, Cundall
NextGen Rising Star – Midlands and East Anglia: Timothy Newcombe, Cundall
NextGen Rising Star – Northern England, North Wales and Northern Ireland: Alan Stuart, Atelier Ten
NextGen Rising Star – Scotland: Ryan Alexander Reid, AECOM
NextGen Rising Star –South West England and South Wales: Laura Hennessy, Gleeds
Employer of the Year: Scotch Partners
Graduate of the Year: Molly Gardner, Multiplex
Impact Award: Adil Sajjad, JLL
Inspirational Leader of the Year: Maria Fernandez Cachafeiro, Multiplex
