Outstanding achievements from across the built environment sector are set to be honoured at the Consultancy and Engineering Awards 2026.

Entries have now opened for the prestigious honours, which are organised by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering Group (ACE).

The awards recognise the people, consultancies, collaborations and projects shaping the future of the UK’s infrastructure, buildings and places.  

From apprentices forging bright careers to experienced professionals leading major programmes, the awards celebrate contributions delivering real impact commercially, socially and environmentally.

This year’s event is bigger and better than ever with 16 awards to enter including a number of new categories introduced for 2026.

But the clock is now ticking for those wanting to be in the running - the deadline for entries is 22 May, 2026.

Shortlisted entries will be announced on 7 September 2026 before the winners are revealed at the glittering National Gala Dinner, being held at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London on 2 December 2026.

Categories for the Consultancy and Engineering Awards 2026 are:

Business Awards
Consultancy of the Year – Fewer than 10 Employees 
Consultancy of the Year – Fewer than 50 Employees 
Consultancy of the Year – Fewer than 250 Employees 
Consultancy of the Year – 250+ Employees  

Collaboration and Delivery Awards
Best Collaborative Project – Joint Venture – New for 2026: Celebrating excellence in integrated delivery through a joint venture model.
Best Collaborative Award – Partnership – New for 2026: (Client, contractor, community or cross-sector partnership) Recognising partnerships that have delivered exceptional outcomes through collaboration.

Sector Excellence Awards
Transport Infrastructure Project of the Year – New for 2026: Projects showing technical excellence, innovation and improved performance or user and/or environmental outcomes. 
Water Project of the Year: Work securing clean water, building water resilience, protecting or enhancing the natural environment with measurable outcomes. 
Energy and Sustainability Project of the Year: Contributions to net zero, energy transition and sustainability through technical and commercial innovation.
Digital and Smart Infrastructure Project Award: Where there has been effective use of digital engineering, data or smart technologies improving asset performance and user and/or environmental outcomes. 
Building and Places Project of the Year: Outstanding public or private building projects with exceptions sustainability and environmental outcomes, delivery and performance.  

Individual Achievement Awards
Lifetime Impact Award – Engineering Consultancy: Individuals whose leadership and influence have shaped engineering consultancy over time.
Two subcategories:
Micro, small and medium sized consultancies
Large consultancies
Future Leader of the Year – Engineering Consultancy: Emerging leaders already making a meaningful impact on the sector.
Apprentice of the Year – Engineering Consultancy: Exceptional early career talent contributing to the success of engineering consultancy.
Nina Cameron Graham Award – Women Shaping Engineering Consultancy – New for 2026:  Honouring women whose excellence, advocacy and leadership are shaping a more inclusive sector.

Organised by ACE Group, which also comprises the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC), the awards are free to enter and open to everyone – you don’t need to be and ACE or EIC member.

A panel of independent judges will consider all entries in context, considering size, market conditions and challenge, with a focus on progress, leadership, innovation and value, before the shortlisted individuals and companies are announced.

Click here to view the submission packs and start your entry. 

To book tickets for the Consultancy and Engineering Awards 2026, click here