Key Points
- Winners of the Barking and Dagenham Business Awards 2025 have been announced, celebrating excellence and innovation across the borough.
- The awards recognise outstanding achievements in sectors including construction, diversity and inclusion, and local government planning.
- Green Rhino won Best Product Innovation at the CN Awards 2025 for its EnviroPad, which improves environmental outcomes on construction sites.
- Danny Sullivan Group secured the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence award for embedding diversity and inclusion as a foundation for business growth and social impact.
- Barking and Dagenham Local Plan 2037 won the Plan-Making (Whole Local Plan) award at the Planning Awards 2025.
- The borough achieved the highest percentage of first-preference secondary school placements in London, with 87.6% of applicants securing their top choice.
- Barking and Dagenham is investing in youth services, apprenticeships, and housing, aiming to transform the local economy and community.
- The awards highlight the borough’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and community development.
The Barking and Dagenham Business Awards 2025 have shone a spotlight on the borough’s leading innovators, community champions, and forward-thinking organisations. This year’s winners, announced amidst much anticipation, reflect the dynamic transformation underway in one of London’s fastest-growing communities.
What Are the Barking and Dagenham Business Awards 2025?
The Barking and Dagenham Business Awards 2025 are designed to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of businesses, organisations, and individuals contributing to the borough’s economic and social vitality. The awards span multiple sectors, from construction and environmental innovation to diversity, inclusion, and local government planning.
Who Were the Major Winners at the CN Awards 2025?
Which Company Won Best Product Innovation?
As reported by the editorial team at Construction News, Green Rhino was named the winner of Best Product Innovation at the CN Awards 2025 for its work on the EnviroPad. The product was lauded for “improving environmental outcomes on construction sites,” setting a benchmark for sustainability and innovation within the industry.
The shortlist for this category included notable entries such as ARC Building Solutions’ TCB Square, Balfour Beatty’s Bins for Blokes, Disperse with Canary Wharf Group’s Wood Wharf Development, and EMR Group’s Reusable Steels, among others. However, Green Rhino’s EnviroPad stood out for its tangible environmental impact and practical application on construction sites.
Who Was Recognised for Diversity and Inclusion Excellence?
According to Construction News, the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence award was won by Danny Sullivan Group. The group was recognised for “embedding diversity & inclusion as the foundation to business growth and social impact.” This accolade underscores the company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and driving positive change within the sector.
Other shortlisted organisations included AtkinsRéalis, Balfour Beatty, Balfour Beatty Vinci Systra Joint Venture, Kori Construction, Mott MacDonald, VGC Group, and WSP, all of whom demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives.
How Did Barking and Dagenham Perform in Local Government Planning?
What Award Did the Local Plan 2037 Win?
As reported on the official LinkedIn page of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, the borough’s Local Plan 2037 was awarded the Plan-Making (Whole Local Plan) honour at the Planning Awards 2025. The council’s Head of Transport and planning team were commended for their visionary approach to urban development and sustainable growth.
How Is Barking and Dagenham Supporting Education and Youth?
What Achievements Were Made in School Placements?
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham announced via its official LinkedIn channel that it achieved the highest percentage of first-preference secondary school placements in London for 2025. Out of 3,162 applications, 2,770 (87.6%) of 10 and 11-year-olds secured their first-choice school, well above the London average of 71.6%. Additionally, 96.64% of applicants received an offer from one of their top three preferences, compared to the London-wide average of 90.48%.
A spokesperson for the council stated, “A HUGE THANK YOU to our Schools Admissions team for making this possible,” highlighting the borough’s commitment to educational excellence and parental choice.
What Initiatives Support Apprenticeships and Youth Development?
During National Apprenticeship Week 2025, the borough celebrated its apprentices and on-the-job training programmes at a special event, as detailed in a council update. The council emphasised its investment in people and opportunities for growth, noting that apprenticeships are a “fantastic way to learn new skills, build a career, and earn while you learn.” The event showcased the achievements of apprentices across various departments, from waste disposal to legal support.
The borough also highlighted its ongoing partnership with the West Ham United Foundation and the Premier League through the “More than a Game” and “Kicks” initiatives, which promote positive youth engagement and safe spaces for young people. Arran Jonny, Coordinator and Youth Engagement Coordinator for the WHU Foundation’s MyEnds project, was awarded the Club’s Community Champion Captain for his significant impact in the community.
What Are the Borough’s Plans for Housing and Community Development?
How Is B&D Reside Transforming Housing Services?
B&D Reside, the borough’s independent housing company, is undergoing a transformative journey to enhance services for residents. For the first time, the company is directly delivering services and establishing a Neighbourhood Management Team. The team is recruiting experienced professionals in allocations, anti-social behaviour case management, tenancy management, and resident engagement, aiming to set new standards in housing management.
What Infrastructure and Economic Developments Are Underway?
According to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, the council is investing heavily in physical infrastructure and community development. Plans include:
- Building London’s first Youth Zone.
- Establishing a new film studio in Dagenham, set to rival Pinewood Studios and boost the local economy.
- Hosting a new university campus (CU London) in partnership with Coventry University, offering flexible and affordable education to local residents.
The council noted, “We’re investing in our physical infrastructure and in our community, providing what people need to be able to help themselves. Change is needed and it’s happening already”.
How Do the Awards Reflect the Borough’s Broader Vision?
What Do These Achievements Mean for Barking and Dagenham?
The recognition achieved through the Barking and Dagenham Business Awards 2025, the CN Awards 2025, and the Planning Awards 2025 underscores the borough’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development. The awards highlight the collaborative efforts of local businesses, government, and community organisations in driving positive change.
As the editorial team at Construction News and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham have reported, these accolades are not just a testament to individual or organisational excellence, but also to the borough’s collective ambition to become a model of growth, opportunity, and social cohesion in London.
What’s Next for Barking and Dagenham?
How Will the Borough Continue to Evolve?
Looking ahead, Barking and Dagenham is poised for further transformation. The council is focused on:
- Expanding youth and apprenticeship programmes.
- Enhancing housing and neighbourhood management.
- Supporting educational attainment and parental choice.
- Investing in infrastructure and economic development.
Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in shaping the borough’s future, as Barking and Dagenham continues to set new standards in innovation, inclusion, and community engagement.
