The highly-esteemed Brownfield Awards, now in their 19th year, bring together the brownfield community to celebrate the excellent work undertaken by organisations and project partnerships, through the use of innovative techniques, awareness of sustainability, engagement with stakeholders and best practice.
The Awards are open for entries and the submission deadline is 31 May 2023.
The winning entries will be announced live at the Brownfield Awards Ceremony, which is moving location to the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester on 2 November! Make sure to reserve your place at the Ceremony and join hundreds of your peers for an evening of celebration and entertainment.
Gold sponsor
Silver sponsors
Bronze sponsors
2023 Brownfield Award Categories & Criteria
Conditions of Entry
To be eligible for entry, there must be evidenced activity on the submitted project during 2022 or 2023.
General Criteria for Categories 1-10
Judges will assess all entries and score them against the following criteria, so each submission should clearly outline how each criterion has been considered and demonstrated.
The Award will go to the entry that in the view of the judges best demonstrates:
-
Obvious fit to category (including specific category criteria), clearly written and with good use of supporting annotated figures/tables/photographs.
-
Notable innovation or exemplary best practice.
-
A robust, cost effective and defensible solution.
-
Compliance with legislation, codes and guidance and adherence to diversity practice.
-
Effective public / stakeholder engagement.
-
Real environmental and social benefits, clearly linked to Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrating Social Value.
-
Evidence of robust project closure / verification where applicable
Some categories also have specific requirements, which are detailed in the category overviews below.
Award Categories
1. Best Project Preparatory Work
Planning and conduct of site investigations, including use of the National Quality Mark Scheme (where applicable), conceptual modelling, and/or development of a remediation strategy which both demonstrates best practice and provides a sound basis for remediation, verification and subsequent use or development of a brownfield site.
2. Best Research, Innovation or Advancement of Science in the Brownfield Sector
Evidenced by a published academic or industry-led research project, or guidance document, or the development of new techniques or technologies with applications in the brownfield sector. Demonstration of the broad potential impact and value of its application should be shown.
3. Best Application of Innovative Digital Tools or Emerging Technology on a Brownfield Project
Genuine novel application of a scientific, technological, or digital-based innovation, leading to enhanced procedures and / or processes for any aspect of brownfield land assessment. Evidenced by the use of software, effective data management or analysis, automation, or practical application of technology in the field. Demonstration of the broad potential impact and value of its application should be shown.
4. Best Public Engagement and Participation of a Brownfield Activity
Demonstrating the positive impact and contribution made by a brownfield regeneration project delivered in collaboration with all stakeholders and encouraging the participation and involvement of local communities.
-
Effectively raising the profile of brownfield development amongst the community and other stakeholders
-
Demonstrates proactive community engagement before and during the project
-
Project takes positive steps towards improving diversity, equity and social well-being
5. Best Application of Remediation Technologies
Effective use of appropriate ex-situ or in-situ remediation technologies, whether alone or in combination, on a brownfield site. Demonstration of robust project closure and verification, with sign off by the appropriate regulator if applicable.
6. Best Sustainable Re-Use of Materials
Sustainable and beneficial re-use of material in a brownfield development or brownfield-led infrastructure project. Must quantify materials re-used and demonstrate compliance with legislation, guidance, codes of practice, and agreement by the appropriate regulator. Ideally should demonstrate an innovative approach to working towards net zero goals.
7. Best Sustainable Brownfield / Urban Regeneration / Infrastructure Scheme
Excellence in the delivery of any aspect of the sustainable regeneration of a brownfield or development, or brownfield-led infrastructure project, led by a multidisciplinary team. Entries should clearly show real positive economic, environmental, and social impacts, clearly linked to Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrating Social Value.
8. Best Public Sector / Not for Profit Brownfield Project
Excellence in any aspect of brownfield development or a brownfield-led infrastructure project, where the project is led by a public sector or not for profit organisation. The Award could be entered by consultants and contractors on behalf of their client, but, if so, the winner would be the public sector / not for profit organisation.
9. Best Biodiversity Enhancement on a Brownfield Project
Demonstration of positive impact on, or enhancement of, the natural environment and local ecosystems in a brownfield development or brownfield-led infrastructure project. Long-term planning of a regenerative approach to enhance biodiversity and amenity value should be demonstrated.
-
Evidence of biodiversity improvement / net gain against the latest DEFRA Biodiversity Metric
-
Demonstration of long-term planning of a regenerative approach to enhance biodiversity and amenity value
10. Best Overseas Project
This Award is open to any organisation who has leveraged experience via the export market or is based outside of the UK to deliver excellence in any aspect of a brownfield development or brownfield-led infrastructure project overseas.
11. Best Early Career Brownfield Professional
Entries can be submitted by the individual, the employer or jointly. The entrant should have no more than 7 years relevant brownfield experience up to 2023. This may comprise accumulated ‘full time equivalent’ experience of 7 years whilst working part-time or around an extended period of absence. The judges welcome submissions from both young professionals and those who have made a career move into the Brownfield sector.
Specific entry criteria:
Entrants will be judged on all-round ability, not only on academic and work-related achievements, but also their enthusiasm for work within the brownfield industry.
Entries will be marked with reference to:
-
Quality of submission - high standard of presentation, clearly written, with good use of supporting figures and photos where appropriate.
-
Demonstrated technical ability within a brownfield area.
-
Demonstration of innovation, astute business acumen, exceptional leadership, and/or significant contribution to a project.
-
Demonstrated enthusiasm to advance the wider understanding of, and to progress within, the brownfield sector. This could include service on committees/boards, writing and presenting of papers, presenting at conferences, involvement in public consultations/awareness events, and/or wider society communication, or similar activities.
The entry should make clear the degree of influence the nominee had in the activity or activities given.
12. Technical Lead of the Year Award
Entries can be submitted by the individual, or employer / peer nomination and will be awarded to an individual who can demonstrate excellence in leading the delivery of any aspect of a brownfield development or brownfield-led infrastructure project.
Specific entry criteria:
Entries will be marked with reference to:
-
Clear vision and strategy development
-
Inspiring and leading the project team
-
Keeping the project on-time and in-budget
-
Consideration of sustainable practices
-
Engagement with the wider technical community
13. Judges’ Choice Award
This Award is not open to applications, but is awarded at the Judges’ discretion after considering all winning entries this year.

Discover this year’s winners at the 2023 Brownfield Awards Ceremony on 2 November at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester.
Reconnect and unwind with the brownfield community during an evening of celebration, as we announce this year's winners live.
To reserve your place at the Ceremony, or for information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact simon.king@environment-analyst.com.
02.11.2023
Save the Date
The photos from the 2022 Ceremony are available below.
Brownfield Award Judges
.jpg)
James Cartwright
Director, McAuliffe

Ann Barker
Lead Officer Contaminated Land, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
.png)
Frank Westcott
Director, Westenviro

Richard Boyle
Technical Director,
Brookbanks Consulting

Ian Evans
Senior Technical Director, Arcadis

Amy Juden
Associate, The Environmental Protection Group Ltd

Alex Ferguson
Managing Director, Delta-Simons
.jpg)
Lisa Hathway
Independent Consultant
.png)
Ian Grant
Editorial Director, Environment Analyst

David Rudland
Contaminated Land Officer and Remediation Project Manager, Swindon Borough Council

Jonathan Atkinson
Technical Director, CL:AIRE