Construction bosses awarded accolades in New Years Honours

Executive chair and founder of construction giant Robertson group Bill Robertson has been awarded a knighthood in the New Years Awards Honours for services to the construction industry. 

Chief executive of The Hill Group Andy Hill has also been awarded the accolade of an OBE for services to affordable housing. 

The Hill Group bought a stake in a modular manufacturer to fulfil its 2019 “Foundation 200” pledge, to spend £12m donating 200 homes to charities and local authorities to house homeless people. He has also been named as a commissioner for the Building the Future Commision run by Housing Today sister title Building.

Hill said: “Housebuilding has been my lifelong passion and throughout my career I have truly believed that well designed, well constructed homes and neighbourhoods can be transformational to people’s lives. This is especially true in the affordable housing space where I take great pride in the estate regeneration and affordable housing projects that The Hill Group has undertaken alongside our partners.”

Robertson, who founded the £588 turnover group in his hometown of Elgin in 1966, said: “I am thrilled, but deeply humbled and honoured, to be included in the 2023 New Year Honours List. 

“This recognition is beyond anything I could have imagined when I founded [the company]. I am proud that we retain a strong presence there and continue to play an active role in the local business community.”

He was also recognised for his charity work. He added: “The charity work that I undertake has always been about giving back to those who need support and is usually done quietly and under the radar, so I am deeply touched to be recognised for my contribution to charity as well as the construction industry.”

Andrew van Doorn, chief executive of the Housing Association Charitable Trust (HACT), which provides data on social impact and social value, was given an OBE for services to housing. 

He said: “This award would not have been possible without the dedication and inspiration of my colleagues at HACT over the past 20 years, as well as the trustees who have served on the board during that time.”

Others recognised in this year’s honours include: 

• James Gilbert, a former deputy director within the Scottish government, received an OBE for services to housing.

• Katherine Faulkner, chair of The Home Buying and Selling Group network, was awarded an OBE for services to the home moving industry. 

• Professor David Mosey, formerly a director of the Centre of Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, was given an OBE for services to the construction industry. 

• Robert Oliver, formerly chief executive of the Construction Equipment Association trade organisation, received and OBE for services to the construction equipment manufacturing sector.

• Saleem Fazal, co-chair and co-founder of network forum Freehold LGBT+ CIC, was awarded an MBE for services to inclusion in the property industry.

• David Mann, co-chair of Freehold LGBT+ CIC, was handed an OBE for services to inclusion in the property industry.