Thomas Vale director honoured by university (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Thomas Vale director honoured by university

8:00am Saturday 24th March 2012 in Business Daily By William Tomaney

THE man at the helm of a Stourport-based construction firm has been honoured with an award from Birmingham City University.

Tony Hyde, group managing director of Thomas Vale Construction, received an honorary doctoral degree from the university in recognition of his outstanding achievements within the industry.

The presentation took place last month at a ceremony for students graduating from the university’s faculty of technology, engineering and the environment.

Mr Hyde said: “I am very proud to have received the honorary degree because it was from my peers in the industry. It was a fantastic day and very grand at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.

“It was awe inspiring. About 2,000 people were there and 650 awards were handed out.”

Mr Hyde has responsibility for the strategic direction of Thomas Vale, ensuring a comprehensive client focus is maintained to ensure on-time and on-budget project delivery.

He added: “I have lived in Worcestershire since I was a boy and attended Stourport High School and worked at Thomas Vale after leaving. To think that 40 years later to be recognised in this way is unbelievable.

“I think the award will help my personal profile and the profile of the business which will help support local jobs for local people.”

He was appointed group managing director in 2002 after holding the company’s managing director position.

He originally joined the business in 1986 as design and build manager and became strategic business director in 1992.

That year, he was one of five directors who undertook a management buy-out of the company which then had a turnover of £10 million.

Today, the business turns over £225 million and employs 700 people directly with a further 2,000 people through its Midland-based supply chain.

In 2009, My Hyde received the West Midlands Centre for Constructing Excellence award for “major contribution to excellence and quality” in the region.

Nick Morton, head of the university’s Birmingham school of the built environment, said: “He is a standard-bearer for enlightened models of working which place long-term sustainability and social conscience at their core.

“He is an enthusiastic supporter of many of our academic initiatives.”

The Thomas Vale company has been in Stourport since 1869.