NEWS
OBE gong for Gilbert-Ash Managing Director RAY HUTCHINSON RECOGNISED FOR SERVICES TO CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND DIVERSITY…
Ray Hutchinson OBE received his New Years Honours list gong for services to construction, diversity and inclusion.
R ay Hutchinson, Managing Director for Gilbert-Ash, was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for his services to the construction industry, diversity and inclusion. An alumnus of both Queen’s University and Ulster University, Ballymena-born Ray joined Gilbert-Ash in 2003 from a finance background and became Managing Director in 2012. Ray has led the company and the industry in its commitment to advancing diversity in the workplace and has several initiatives in place to cultivate this. Gilbert-Ash has won a number of national awards for its ongoing commitment to gender diversity including the Best Gender Initiative at the 2020 Northern Ireland Equality & Diversity Awards as well as commendations for Best Employer for Equality and Diversity and Best Race Initiative categories. It is the first construction firm in Northern Ireland to have retained the Bronze Diversity Mark for three consecutive years. Ray also works closely with Women’s Tec in Northern Ireland to promote diversity within the sector and continues to play a key role leading gender equality across the industry in the UK.
Gilbert-Ash values are being lived every day by Ray, who in 2021 signed the Business in the Community NI Climate Pledge, to ensure the company is making a difference to the planet. For several years, Ray has led the Gilbert-Ash team in its partnership with the Adsum Foundation with the goal of investing money in people and communities in the developing world. Established in 2008, the charity’s vision is a future where the possibilities and opportunities are the same for all, in a world without poverty. Ray is a former President of The Construction Employers Federation. Through this role, Ray strived to drive the industry forward, particularly focusing on the areas of diversity, digital transformation, and encouraging young people to enter a career in construction. He is also a previous winner of the Institute of Directors Director of the Year Award for Corporate Social Responsibility. Community focused, Ray has been an instrumental member of the Board of
Trustees of The MAC in Belfast since its opening in 2012. The award-winning cultural hub in the city’s Cathedral Quarter, The MAC has become a beacon for the ongoing regeneration of Belfast, welcoming almost 2.5 million visitors since opening as well as over 3,000 live theatre performances and 45 visual art exhibitions. Ray is married to Louise with two children Conor and Katie. As Managing Director, Ray has been instrumental in shaping the success of Gilbert-Ash, and despite the challenges of the pandemic, led the company to its most successful year in 2020. His strategic guidance has enabled Gilbert- Ash to become a leader in delivering iconic award-winning landmark buildings. Gilbert-Ash is an award-winning UK construction and fit-out contractor with 193 employees at offices in London and Belfast. To contact, call: +44 (0)28 9066 4334, email: belfast@gilbert-ash.co.uk or visit: www.gilbert-ash.com
“Ray has led the company and the industry in its commitment to advancingdiversity in theworkplace and has several initiatives in place to cultivate this.”
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