Sean Keyes, CEO of Liverpool multi-disciplinary consultancy Sutcliffe, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the RICS UK Awards 2026 Grand Final, held at the Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge.

Sean, Chartered Surveyor, Chartered Civil Engineer and Chartered Structural Engineer was selected from nine leading figures shortlisted from across the UK for this prestigious national award.

The award recognises his contribution to the built environment over four decades combining professional and technical leadership with a longstanding commitment to training, apprenticeships, social value and raising standards across the construction and property professions.

The business has worked on more than 35,000 projects across the UK including homes, schools, hospitals, commercial development and major infrastructure projects.

Sean said:

“I’m genuinely humbled to receive this award. It’s my name on the award, but it reflects the work of everyone at Sutcliffe, past and present, and the clients and fellow professionals who’ve trusted us with their projects over the past four decades.

 

“As both a Chartered Surveyor and Chartered Engineer I have always believed that the best buildings and infrastructure come from professions working together. Surveyors, engineers, architects, contractors and clients all bring different skills to a project, but ultimately we all share the same goal, to create a built environment that is safe, sustainable, economically viable and serves the people who use it.

“Recognition from the RICS means an enormous amount to me, representing not only technical competence but professional judgement, ethics and public responsibility.

“I am most proud of the young people I have helped at Sutcliffe as apprentices, trainees and graduates watching them develop into accomplished professionals leading their own projects. The skills gap in front of us is real. However, it’s a problem we can do something about, and it starts with firms taking responsibility for training the next generation. That’s why we’ve committed to training 40 new engineers and surveyors over the next decade, and I intend to see it through. Alongside this is the wonderful work that we do helping charities in the region and I am amazed by the generosity of our friends who have helped us raise £320,000.”

Founded in Liverpool in 1985, Sutcliffe marked its 40th anniversary last year and now operates from offices in Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales, London and the Midlands.

For more information about Sutcliffe, visit the website, and on social media – Facebook and LinkedIn.