2026 Shortlist

Best Use of Technology

Best use of AI & Machine Learning

This category celebrates the innovative application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies within the ground engineering sector, focusing on their impact on project planning, design or delivery.

Finalists

  • Geprode Consultores - Georisco: From settlement prediction to AI-driven damage forecasting in buildings and infrastructure services
  • Inframind Labs - AI-powered digital inspector for ageing masonry infrastructure

Best use of Data – Application

This category recognises innovative use of data within a project to improve decision-making, design, risk management, maintenance, sustainability or project outcomes.

Finalists

  • CGL - Designing with data: transforming ground behaviour into engineering decisions
  • Dywidag - Smart Guard system
  • Federation of Piling Specialists - Piling data sharing map
  • VolkerFitzpatrick - Southern Renewals Enterprise

Best use of Data – Projects

This category recognises innovative use of data within a project to improve decision-making, design, risk management, maintenance, sustainability or project outcomes.

Finalists

  • AtkinsRéalis & WSP - A83 Rest and Be Thankful
  • Buro Happold - Everton Football Club’s Hill Dickinson stadium
  • CGL - Beyond boreholes: Using near-surface seismic data to transform excavatability assessments
  • CGL - Using 3D ERT and intrusive data to de-risk chalk dissolution at a site in Hertfordshire
  • Mott MacDonald & Bam - Eastern Green Link 2
  • RSK Geosciences - Sea Supply project

Best use of Geospatial & UAV Technology

This award recognises outstanding use of geospatial and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) technology in a ground engineering project. Candidates must demonstrate how these technologies have enhanced project efficiency, improved data accuracy, optimised decision-making or contributed to safety and sustainability.

Finalists

  • AtkinsRéalis & WSP - A83 Rest and Be Thankful
  • Geofem - Unique combination of InSAR and in situ surveys to monitor embankment settlement on Arnhem Highway, Australia
  • Development Bureau, CEDD, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong - Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen new development area: Second phase development

Best use of Instrumentation & Monitoring

This category recognises the innovative application of instrumentation and monitoring (I&M) technologies to enhance the design, construction and performance of ground engineering projects.

Finalists

  • Eddyfi Remote Monitoring - Smart imaging technology to support wireless earthworks monitoring
  • Mott MacDonald & Bam - Eastern Green Link 2
  • Mott MacDonald Bentley - Longbridge Sewage Treatment Works green recovery
  • Murphy Geospatial & Woolpert - Real time abnormal load monitoring
  • Woolpert - Precision in motion

Best use of Subsurface Modelling

This category recognises outstanding implementation of subsurface modelling within a project or pilot scheme in geotechnical engineering to better understand ground conditions, manage risk, improve design efficiency or enable more sustainable construction.

Finalists

  • AtkinsRéalis - Seeing beneath the subsurface: Using integrated ground models to understand ground conditions and mitigate risk at Sizewell C
  • CGL - Using 3D ERT and intrusive data to de-risk chalk dissolution at a site in Hertfordshire
  • CGL - From observation to optimisation: Transforming ground risk using integrated subsurface modelling
  • Expanded Piling - Sizewell C ground improvement
  • Mott MacDonald & Bam - Eastern Green Link 2
  • Mott Macdonald - Ground model for new railway line Praha-Smíchov – Beroun
  • Select Plant Hire - Integrated n4ce automation and excel-based team coordination system

Best use of Sustainable Solutions

This award recognises outstanding implementation of sustainable solutions in geotechnical and ground engineering projects. Candidates must demonstrate how sustainability has been integrated into their work – whether through innovative techniques, material choices, technology, carbon reduction strategies or process improvements.

Finalists

  • Curtin University - Sustainable civil infrastructure through eco-innovative ground improvement
  • CWG - Future-proofing foundations for reuse at One North Quay
  • Elysium Construction - 30 Ferncroft Avenue
  • GeoStruXer Constructs - Sustainable CMPRF foundations enabled by AI & InSAR – Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • JBA Consulting - South Bank watercourse
  • Transport for London - Earth structure remediation programme

Digital Tool of the Year

This award celebrates an outstanding digital tool that has advanced the way geotechnical and ground engineering activities are delivered. It recognises tools that elevate technical accuracy, streamline processes, strengthen collaboration or enhance project delivery through intuitive, well-designed digital capability.

Finalists

  • Eddyfi Remote Monitoring - Camerahub: automated imaging to monitor remote assets
  • Geoserve Global - AnchorTest
  • Inframind Labs - The Inframind platform
  • Jacobs - Jet – Transforming geotechnical design and delivery for infrastructure projects
  • Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong - Downhole RMR calculation tool
  • VolkerFitzpatrick - Inspection and test plan digital tool

Digital Transformation & Process Innovation Award

This award recognises groundbreaking initiatives that have transformed how geotechnical, ground engineering and construction activities are delivered through digital adoption or process innovation. It celebrates organisations and teams that have reimagined workflows, reshaped decision-making or modernised delivery models through the strategic use of digital tools, automation or new operational approaches.

Finalists

  • Geprode Consultores - Georisco: From reactive surveys to predictive risk management: Digital transformation of building vulnerability assessment
  • National Grid - Great Grid Partnership portfolio

Emerging Technology Award

This category celebrates cutting-edge geotechnical technologies that are in the early stages of adoption and show clear potential to transform the way ground engineering challenges are addressed.

Finalists

  • Inframind Labs - AI-powered digital inspector for ageing masonry infrastructure
  • Marshall Drilling - Spider Excavator -  Ground Investigation Drilling Rig
  • Murphy Geospatial & Woolpert - Kairosense: Point to point radio interferometric monitoring
  • Select Plant Hire - Underground / utility capture

Smart Asset Management Award

This award celebrates outstanding use of digital tools and intelligent systems to elevate how geotechnical and ground engineering assets are monitored, maintained and managed. It recognises approaches that turn complex asset information into actionable insight, enabling safer, more efficient and more resilient infrastructure.

Finalists

  • AtkinsRéalis, Environment Agency & British Geological Survey - Powderham Banks improvement project
  • Dywidag - Smart Guard system
  • Jacobs - A83 Rest and Be Thankful

Organisation

Instrumentation & Monitoring Specialist of the Year

This category celebrates organisations that excel in instrumentation and monitoring, demonstrating outstanding technical capabilities and the achievement of key project or business milestones over the last year. Firms must provide evidence of a continued commitment to delivering innovation, quality and value in monitoring solutions between May 2024 and May 2026.

Finalists

  • Select Plant Hire
  • VolkerFitzpatrick
  • Wisen Innovation

Plant & Equipment Provider of the Year

This category celebrates the achievements of plant and equipment providers that have demonstrated exceptional innovation, performance and efficiency in supporting ground engineering and construction projects. The award will recognise firms that have delivered outstanding value, technical excellence and innovation between May 2024 and May 2026, while enhancing their operations, equipment capabilities and service offerings.

Finalists

  • SolGen
  • Marshall Drilling

Technology Provider of the Year

This award recognises a technology provider that has delivered outstanding digital or data-led solutions for the geotechnical and ground engineering sector. It celebrates organisations whose tools, platforms or integrated systems have enabled smarter workflows, improved safety, enhanced collaboration or better-informed decision-making across investigation, design, construction or asset management activities.

Finalists

  • Dywidag
  • Inframind Labs
  • Leica Geosystems

People

GeoTech Leader of the Year

The GeoTech Leader of the Year category recognises individuals who are driving innovation and technological advancement in the geotechnical and ground engineering sector. The award celebrates leaders who demonstrate vision, inspire change, champion new technologies, and contribute to improving industry practices and project outcomes.

Finalists

  • Arup - Ben Gilson
  • Robert Bird Group - Rhea Albelda
  • Select Plant Hire - Lucio Alcalde
  • University of Cambridge, Inframind Labs - Dr Brian Sheil

GeoTech Team of the Year

The GE GeoTech Team of the Year category celebrates teams that have delivered exceptional results through collaboration, technical expertise, and effective project delivery within the geotechnical and ground engineering sector. The award recognises groups whose combined skills and dedication have made a significant impact on their projects, clients, and the wider industry.

Finalists

  • AtkinsRéalis, Environment Agency & British Geological Survey
  • Align-D: Rendel, Jacobs and Align JV: Bouygues Travaux Publics, VolkerFitzpatrick and Sir Robert McAlpine
  • Select Plant Hire
  • VolkerFitzpatrick and Network Rail as part of the Southern Renewals Enterprise