Success at the Management Consultancies Association Awards
Jacobs has won a Management Consultancies Association (MCA) Award for its work on Tideway, while colleague Kayode Akinrinlola was Highly Commended in the Inclusion category.
Project impact
In the Social Value category, Jacobs was recognized for developing and implementing a skills, education and employment strategy for Tideway, one of the U.K.’s largest infrastructure programs, which is reconnecting London to the River Thames. Rather than treating social value as a separate commitment, the approach adopted by Jacobs and Tideway integrated employment, education and skills into program controls, performance measures and supply chain delivery.
The strategy supported 1,273 people into employment, delivered 162 apprenticeships and engaged more than 80,000 young people in STEM. It also established the Thames Skills Academy, strengthened skills in the river transport sector and contributed to more than £23 million ($30.4 million) in additional social value. By connecting workforce planning with the needs of London’s communities, Jacobs and Tideway delivered lasting benefits beyond the construction program itself. The model has since informed skills, employment and education approaches on other major infrastructure programs.
People and leadership
The awards also recognize the contribution of our colleague, Kayode Akinrinlola, who was Highly Commended in the Inclusion category. A principal consultant and global vice-chair of Jacobs’ Harambee employee network representing Black talent, Kayode was recognized for turning inclusion into everyday action. Through mentoring, career development initiatives and an internal virtual series promoting open conversations, he has helped colleagues build confidence, find opportunities and feel valued. Under Kayode’s leadership, Harambee membership grew by approximately 5%, while company-wide culture survey results showed increases in colleagues’ sense of inclusion, engagement and strategic alignment.
"These awards recognize what can happen when technical knowledge is matched by curiosity, collaboration and a clear focus on outcomes,” said Jacobs Executive Vice President Richard Sanderson. “From helping communities benefit from major infrastructure programs to creating an environment where people can grow and contribute, our teams are challenging expectations and delivering outstanding work that makes a real difference."
