Skip to main content

Award given by SCI to Colas’ head of technical development

John Richardson, Colas’ head of technical development for UK and the Isle of Man, has received a prestigious award from the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). The society’s Construction Materials Group presented Richardson with the George Bessey Award at its annual AGM, only the third time the award has been given since its inception in 2007.
November 14, 2016 Read time: 2 mins

John Richardson, 184 Colas’ head of technical development for UK and the Isle of Man, has received a prestigious award from the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). The society’s Construction Materials Group presented Richardson with the George Bessey Award at its annual AGM, only the third time the award has been given since its inception in 2007.

Established in 1993, the George Bessey award aims to recognise the efforts of dedicated and exceptional members of the group. Richardson, who has worked for Colas for the past 16 years, has been a member of the SCI’s Construction Materials Group since joining the SCI in 1983. Prior to joining Colas, he worked for George Wimpey and Tarmac Quarry Products and has authored several papers and books.

 SCI's Construction Materials Group's past-chair John Fifield said of Richardson:  “He has helped to organise lectures and meetings throughout his time and has always been able to find a fantastic range of speakers for symposia, drawing on his impressive list of business contacts in companies worldwide. John has always been a dedicated member, who has willingly given his time to promote SCI and further the efforts of SCI's Construction Materials Group.”

Stewart Struthers, Colas’ deputy CEO said: “As a company that harnesses creativity and innovation, we are obviously delighted that John’s talent and expertise have been recognised. Colas is fully committed to ensuring that all staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to carry out their work and this award demonstrates that we possess the qualities in our people - their talent, passion and vision - to deliver excellence in everything we do.”

Richardson celebrated his award by giving a presentation to the AGM on the subject of bitumen emulsion spray for road pavements.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ITS UK Awards 2024: the winners are...
    November 20, 2024
    Valerann, AtkinsRéalis, Yutraffic Actis, Gridicity, Vivacity and AGD Systems were among the companies which either walked away with an award or whose ITS leaders were individual awards winners.
  • IRF Presents 2017 Road Safety Award
    August 1, 2017
    The International Road Federation has given its prestigious annual road safety accolade — known as the ‘Find A Way Award’ — to the Korea Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The Find a Way Award was instituted as part of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety by IRF chairman Eng Abdullah Al-Mogbel in recognition of the value of political leadership in driving road traffic injury reduction strategies. Every year, the Award distinguishes outstanding personal commitment to safer roads b
  • New head for UK’s CEA
    April 2, 2025
    The UK’s Construction Equipment Association has a new CEO.
  • IRF Global Road Achievement Awards winners
    March 15, 2012
    The International Road Federation (IRF) recognised the winners of the 2011 Global Road Achievement Awards (GRAA) Competition at the 11th Annual IRF Awards Luncheon in front of an audience comprising hundreds of high-level government officials, top executives, and other road industry professionals.