Wrotham firm Lucas has won a special award for its response to the pandemic at the Construction News Specialist Awards.

The fit-out and finishing company won a Leadership in the Pandemic award at a ceremony held in central London.

It recognised the response by the industry to the challenges brought about by Covid.

All companies shortlisted for the other award categories were entered for the award, with Lucas bosses saying they were "hugely surprised and proud" to have won.

Construction News editor Lem Bingly cited its 'stop the spread' campaign and special efforts to keep its workforce safe and help local communities.

The company had asked its laboratory technicians to switch from working on paint formulas to developing hand sanitiser, as well as turning its production facilities over to making hand wash stations.

Funds from the hand wash stations were donated to the British Lung Foundation while supplies were also donated to care homes and NHS facilities.

The award comes hard on the heels of winning an outstanding contribution award to the industry at last month’s Construction News Industry Awards.

Lucas was also highly commended in two awards categories this week - for Digital Construction Excellence and Outstanding Contribution to Specialist Construction.

Boss Danny Lucas said: “The whole team at Lucas is just so proud to have won this special award. We always think out of the ordinary, to work really hard at what we do every day but also to progress the industry for the benefit of the wider community.”

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