Commercial Manager awarded to Scott Haigh, recognising his impact to surveying

In the fast-evolving world of civil engineering surveying, true impact is defined by leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The prestigious Commercial Manager Award was established to celebrate those exact qualities - recognising exceptional professionals who steer high-profile construction projects, pioneer transformative industry methods, or advance ground-breaking research. At this year's annual dinner at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre, the spotlight turned to an individual whose recent contributions have set a benchmark for the entire sector.

Scott Haigh, Head of Commercial at Kier: 'I am extremely proud of my membership of CICES and firmly believe that continuous professional development and professional membership play an important role in building capability across our industry. At Kier, I hold membership surgeries with graduates across the Group, encouraging them to take the first steps on their own professional journey. While I am delighted and honoured to receive this award, our achievements are never individual. This recognition reflects the collective contribution of the many talented people I have been fortunate to work with.'

Simon Hamlyn, CEO at CICES: 'Congratulations to Scott on winning the CICES Commercial Manager Award. This is well-deserved and a fantastic achievement - we are delighted to see Scott receive such recognition.'

The news doesn't stop there. We interviewed Scott to hear his story...

How did winning the award make you feel?

"I am incredibly proud and humbled to receive this recognition from CICES. I am also extremely grateful to those who nominated me. Receiving an award like this means a great deal, particularly from an organisation I am so proud to be part of."

Let's discuss some of the contributions you’ve made that have made a real impact

"I have been fortunate to work on a number of high-profile projects and frameworks throughout my career, including my current involvement with both Yorkshire Water and United Utilities. However, the achievements I am most proud of have always centred around people. Building strong teams, learning from one another and supporting others in their development is where I believe we can make the greatest impact. Whether through helping to roll out diversity training as part of a leadership team, attending graduate events to discuss chartership, or simply supporting colleagues with their professional development, helping others to grow and succeed has always been particularly rewarding."

What do you see as the biggest commercial challenges or opportunities facing our sector right now (e.g. rising costs, risk management, supply chain pressures)?

"For me, the biggest challenge facing construction is resource. We have some incredibly talented people across the industry, but there simply are not enough new people coming through to meet the demands being placed upon the sector. Rising costs and increasing pressures only add to the challenge, placing more responsibility on those already delivering our projects and programmes. We need to make construction an attractive long-term career, bringing new talent into the industry while continuing to support and develop the people we already have. Investing in people, skills and professional development is essential to the future success of our industry."

Identify the pivotal moment where you began your career within commercial management + what drove this pursuit

"I think my career in commercial management really started with my family. I come from a family that works within the construction industry, so you could say it has always been in my blood. From an early stage, I was drawn to the commercial side and the combination of people, contracts, problem-solving and business that comes with it.

As my career developed, I was fortunate enough to have two or three really good mentors who supported me but also pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and do more. I will always be grateful to them for that. The fact that I remain in contact with them years later probably says a lot about the impact they had on me."

What advice would you give to up-and-coming commercial surveyors looking to make a real impact in their teams and projects?

"Be confident in your own ability and don’t be afraid to challenge the way things are done, but always remain open to the views and experiences of others. You don’t need to have all the answers yourself. Some of the best outcomes come from bringing different people, ideas and perspectives together. Listen, ask questions, learn from those around you and contribute your own thinking. When a team genuinely embraces diversity of thought and works collaboratively, it can achieve far more than any individual could achieve alone."

Learn more

Are you interested in following in the footsteps of Chris to become our next award winner? Visit cices.org/about-us/prizes-and-awards/ for a chance to get recognition and have your story told.

Scott Haigh, Head of Commercial, Kier speaks to Tehya Bruce-Allen, Senior Communications Coordinator, CICES