Tuesday June 23, 2026
Cawarden Project Awarded Silver at the International CSR Excellence Awards 2026.
A regeneration project delivered by Derbyshire‑based specialist contractor Cawarden has achieved international recognition, securing a Silver International Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Award 2026 from The Green Organisation for its demonstrable social, environmental and economic impact.
The award, presented by The CSR Society, celebrates organisations and individual projects that demonstrate excellence in responsible delivery and measurable CSR outcomes. The ceremony took place on 1 June at the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral, London, where Cawarden was represented by Managing Director William Crooks and Head of Marketing & Communications, Emma Attwood.
This year’s awards brought together CSR‑driven organisations from across the world, with winners representing the UK, UAE, Türkiye, USA and Australia. Cawarden’s project was recognised alongside a diverse mix of international recipients — including Rio Tinto & The Smarty Train, Pen Written Post, JLL, London City Airport and Ethical Property Investments, to name just a few. Sharing the room with such internationally recognised names underscores the calibre of the achievement and the global significance of the awards programme.
A Project Delivered with Impact for Lichfield
The Silver Award celebrates Cawarden’s work on the demolition of the multi‑storey car park on Birmingham Road in Lichfield, delivered on behalf of Lichfield District Council. The scheme transformed the redundant car park into the foundations for a new public realm – a key step in the city’s wider regeneration strategy.
Delivered between 2024 and 2025, the project placed sustainability, social value, and community benefit at its core:
- £1.13 million in independently measured social value generated, supporting local employment, training, foodbanks, youth programmes, and community initiatives
- Over 99% of demolition materials diverted from landfill, with 8,092 of 8,102 tonnes recycled
- Transport efficiencies saving an estimated 20,000 vehicle miles, reducing emissions
- £114,000 spent locally within a 30‑mile radius, strengthening the regional supply chain
All outcomes were tracked and verified through robust reporting, demonstrating the project’s contribution to Lichfield’s regeneration ambitions and wider community benefit.
The project also reflects Cawarden’s long‑standing commitment to responsible demolition and regeneration – an approach embedded across the business for decades and aligned with national priorities around sustainability, circular economy principles, and community‑focused development.
This award is fantastic recognition of the professionalism, care and community focus shown throughout the demolition of the former Birmingham Road multi-storey car park. The project was an important first step in transforming this part of the city and has helped pave the way for the creation of Linear Park, improving connections between the city centre and Lichfield City Station while creating a greener and more welcoming gateway into Lichfield. We congratulate Cawarden on this well-deserved achievement and thank everyone involved for their contribution to the successful delivery of the project.”
CLLR ANDY SMITH
Achieving a Silver International CSR Excellence Award is a tremendous honour and a testament to the impact this project has delivered for our client and the wider community. What made the ceremony particularly special was standing alongside global organisations from the UK, UAE, Türkiye, the USA and Australia – all of whom are driving forward responsible practice in their sectors. To be recognised in that company shows the strength of our industry and the importance of embedding social and environmental value into every project. I’m incredibly proud of the Cawarden team and delighted that the Lichfield scheme has been celebrated on an international stage.”
WILLIAM CROOKS
MANAGING DIRECTOR – CAWARDEN
The project by Cawarden represents the standard of excellence we seek to recognise through the International CSR Excellence Awards. Their approach demonstrates how sustainability can be fully embedded into business strategy while delivering meaningful, measurable benefits for communities, the environment, and stakeholders alike. This is the kind of leadership that drives real and lasting change.”
ROGER WOLENS
FOUNDER OF THE CSR SOCIETY
The successful demolition of the former Birmingham Road multi-storey car park has helped unlock the next phase of regeneration for this important gateway site. The area will become home to the new Linear Park, creating an attractive green link between Lichfield City Station and the city centre, improving connectivity for residents and visitors, enhancing biodiversity and providing welcoming public space that supports the city’s long-term growth and regeneration ambitions.
