The instructional programme guides local construction businesses on how to win new work from both the public sector and Scotland’s Tier 1 building contractors.

Run in partnership with North and South Lanarkshire councils, the Build Lanarkshire 2021 programme is conducted by hub South West.

The Build Lanarkshire 2021 programme culminated in an online awards ceremony where each participating business presented to a panel comprising representatives of the two local authorities, Tier 1 contractors, and hub South West.

Coatbridge-based Building Finishing Services, founded in 2018 by Cameron Greenshields, Alanna’s brother, employs nine people who specialise in refurbishing and overhauling existing homes to a high standard throughout Scotland’s Central Belt.

Alanna said: “I am delighted to have won this award. The Build Lanarkshire 2021 programme was absolutely brilliant. I have gained a lot from the experience and, above all, it has given me huge confidence in taking the business forward. I want also to thank Mark Houston and Margaret Milton who made us all so welcome throughout the eight week long programme.”

Second place went to Kirsty Hunter of BDL Demolition who impressed the judges with her presentation and business maturity beyond her years. Close behind in third spot was Crawford MacGregor of MacGregor Flooring Company Limited who gave a superb presentation to convey all that the family business took from the development programme to assist its further expansion.

Mark Houston, supply chain development manager at hub South West, said: “Congratulations from all at hub South West to Alanna, the runners up and to each business who took part in Build Lanarkshire 2021.

“It has been a joy and inspiration to work with these businesses over the last eight weeks, all of which have shown incredible ambition, a hunger to learn and a willingness to embrace new ways to better their businesses and themselves.

“We should like also to thank the representatives of our Tier 1 contractor partners, David Mackenzie at Robertson Construction Central Limited, Willie Campbell of Morgan Sindall Construction, Patricia Murphy of BAM Construct UK, Fraser Hatton & Daniel Hamilton at CCG (Scotland) Ltd, Gordon Reid of Kier Construction, Gwen Blair of Linear Design & Construct, Robert Dickson at Cruden and Jim Johnstone at Morrison Construction for their ongoing commitment to supporting the programme, and for following up with the businesses to engage with them further in their quest for working together on future contracts.

“My personal thanks go also to North Lanarkshire Council’s Robert Steenson and South Lanarkshire Council’s Daniel Lowe who, alongside hub South West CEO Michael McBrearty, had the difficult task of judging the presentations.”

Robert Steenson, executive director (enterprise and communities) at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “I was impressed by the commitment of all participants in the Build Lanarkshire 2021 programme to develop thriving businesses capable of fulfilling the demands of Tier 1 contractors. It was clear to me that we have a wealth of business talent in our council area that deserves all possible support from us as a local authority.”

Daniel Lowe, executive director, housing and technical resources at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The Build Lanarkshire 2021 programme was a revelation to me and the economic development team at hub South West should be congratulated on conceiving, organising, and conducting such an excellent initiative. I left the session I attended full of optimism that the economic future of our region is in good hands.”

Michael McBrearty, chief executive of hub South West, said: “Congratulations are due to Alanna and all the other Lanarkshire businesses which participated in this, our fourth and, yet again, highly successful Build Lanarkshire 2021 programme.

“There is no doubt that with this and other hub South West-led initiatives such as our Building for Growth programme, that we are all playing a vital part in helping local businesses up their game to compete for, and win, profitable business from our Tier 1 contractor partners.”