Home > About the ABE > ABE Awards information - Outstanding Service Award
Tony received the Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of his dedication to the Association for 20 years. Tony's contribution has not only been immense but his breadth of influence has been unique.
Everyone at the Association was endeared to a man of many talents, he was an Association man and would do everything in his power to promote and develop the IAAS and its successor the ABE. His contribution to professional development makes him one of the most powerful figureheads the ABE has ever witnessed.
Tony began his career in the family before entering teacher training which led to a post of lecturer at West Oxfordshire College in 1964. A number of educational posts followed until he became lecturer at Lincoln College of Technology in 1973, later becoming Principal Lecturer in 1975, finally reaching Vice Principal in 1992.
Tony joined the Association in 1983, and continued to work hard for the association whilst doing his work in Lincoln. In 1989 he was made a Fellow of the Association and then became Vice President from 1988-90, becoming President in 1990. With Tony's vast experience in education it was fitting that he was a member and later the Chairman of the Education Committee.
Tony will forever be in our thoughts and this Outstanding Service Award, was a fitting tribute to man so endeared to the Association. It was a fantastic evening in Lincoln in July 2002, and it was fantastic for Tony to receive an award, that has never been more richly deserved.
Frank Wright 2001
Frank has been part of the Association for 58 years, after joining in 1945 his achievements over the years have been astonishing.
Frank has been a pivotal part of the Irish branch since its establishment in 1963, and has represented the branch as Chairman. His commitment has never diminished and he remains as focused as ever on improving and serving the Association.
Frank has been involved in some turbulent times in Ireland, and to help keep the Irish branch wholly united is a significant achievement. He would often drive more than 100 miles in each direction from Belfast to Dublin through checkpoints and searches month after month, year after year to enable him to chair meetings.
During 1999 Frank was once again chairman of the branch and took a very important step in difficult but successful negotiations with the Irish Government in registering Construction Professionals. This was an important step in registering Architects, Building Surveyors and Quantity Surveyors.
Frank is a friend of many in the Association and even between the work of the Association and other personal commitments he still finds time to fit in the odd Masters degree! Awarded to him by Glamorgan University.
Frank was given the Outstanding Service Award in 2001, and everyone at the Association believes that it was richly deserved. We wish him well and hope that he serves the Association for many more years to come.
Bill Black 2000
Bill joined the Association as it was then, the IAAS in 1960, and has been a member ever since. During the 43 years of his service to date, he has achieved so much in a variety of roles that it was fitting that the awarding panel decided to honour Bill with the award in 2000.
He was a founder member of the now ABE, and has helped bring the ABE into its present existence through considerable foresight and skilled negotiations.
In 1986 Bill became the Honorary Secretary of ABE, a position he held for 13 years, until he relinquished the role in May 1999. During this 13 year period he worked tirelessly and applied himself to the role. Working closely with a number of succeeding Presidents and the Chief Executive he has safeguarded the Associations legal position. Promoting the Association at every given opportunity.
In 1984 Bill became a founding member and Governor of WOBO (World Organisation of Building Officials). His involvement in this organisation considerably enhanced the profile of the ABE on the world stage.
He was also a member of the Executive Committee for more than 20 years until May 1999; Chairman of the former Law & Parliamentary Committee for 5 years; Member of the former Building Surveyors Building Control Committee, and a member of the Peter Stone Award Panel.
Bill has been a true ambassador of the Association and has worked tirelessly promoting the Association to a wide spectrum not just to the UK but globally.
For his work at the Association he was made a Life Vice President of the ABE in 1988, and the Outstanding Service Award he received in 2000 is a fitting tribute to a great Association man.
Jim Cunningham 1999
Jim has been a part of the old IAAS and later the ABE since 1959, when he became a student member; he later in 1963 became an Associate and a fellow nine years after this.
Jim has served the Association at the highest possible level when he became President in 1986; he also chaired a number of different committees including the MBS committee, which he chaired for 5 consecutive years, as well as the Admissions and Building Surveyors Committee.
In 1987 Jim was given the honour of being Vice President of WOBO (World Organisation of Building Officials), and played a major role in organising the highly acclaimed World Congress held in London. Three years later in 1990 he was elected President of WOBO and subsequently held the post for three years.
Jim has combined so many positions over the years that his career has been a non-stop rollercoaster. To illustrate this whilst being President of the IAAS he also held the position of Chief Building Surveyor for the London Borough of Haringey and was Chairman of no less than 3 Housing Associations.
The Association as a whole owes him thanks for the many years that he has served the Association on many different platforms. To this he is widely respected by his friends and colleagues throughout the Construction profession.
Outstanding Service Award
The Outstanding Service award is awarded in recognition of a members contribution to the advancement of the Aims and the Objectives of the Association. Past Winners include the distinguished:
Tony Byng 2002Everyone at the Association was endeared to a man of many talents, he was an Association man and would do everything in his power to promote and develop the IAAS and its successor the ABE. His contribution to professional development makes him one of the most powerful figureheads the ABE has ever witnessed.
Tony began his career in the family before entering teacher training which led to a post of lecturer at West Oxfordshire College in 1964. A number of educational posts followed until he became lecturer at Lincoln College of Technology in 1973, later becoming Principal Lecturer in 1975, finally reaching Vice Principal in 1992.
Tony joined the Association in 1983, and continued to work hard for the association whilst doing his work in Lincoln. In 1989 he was made a Fellow of the Association and then became Vice President from 1988-90, becoming President in 1990. With Tony's vast experience in education it was fitting that he was a member and later the Chairman of the Education Committee.
Tony will forever be in our thoughts and this Outstanding Service Award, was a fitting tribute to man so endeared to the Association. It was a fantastic evening in Lincoln in July 2002, and it was fantastic for Tony to receive an award, that has never been more richly deserved.
Frank Wright 2001
Frank has been a pivotal part of the Irish branch since its establishment in 1963, and has represented the branch as Chairman. His commitment has never diminished and he remains as focused as ever on improving and serving the Association.
Frank has been involved in some turbulent times in Ireland, and to help keep the Irish branch wholly united is a significant achievement. He would often drive more than 100 miles in each direction from Belfast to Dublin through checkpoints and searches month after month, year after year to enable him to chair meetings.
During 1999 Frank was once again chairman of the branch and took a very important step in difficult but successful negotiations with the Irish Government in registering Construction Professionals. This was an important step in registering Architects, Building Surveyors and Quantity Surveyors.
Frank is a friend of many in the Association and even between the work of the Association and other personal commitments he still finds time to fit in the odd Masters degree! Awarded to him by Glamorgan University.
Frank was given the Outstanding Service Award in 2001, and everyone at the Association believes that it was richly deserved. We wish him well and hope that he serves the Association for many more years to come.
Bill Black 2000
He was a founder member of the now ABE, and has helped bring the ABE into its present existence through considerable foresight and skilled negotiations.
In 1986 Bill became the Honorary Secretary of ABE, a position he held for 13 years, until he relinquished the role in May 1999. During this 13 year period he worked tirelessly and applied himself to the role. Working closely with a number of succeeding Presidents and the Chief Executive he has safeguarded the Associations legal position. Promoting the Association at every given opportunity.
In 1984 Bill became a founding member and Governor of WOBO (World Organisation of Building Officials). His involvement in this organisation considerably enhanced the profile of the ABE on the world stage.
He was also a member of the Executive Committee for more than 20 years until May 1999; Chairman of the former Law & Parliamentary Committee for 5 years; Member of the former Building Surveyors Building Control Committee, and a member of the Peter Stone Award Panel.
Bill has been a true ambassador of the Association and has worked tirelessly promoting the Association to a wide spectrum not just to the UK but globally.
For his work at the Association he was made a Life Vice President of the ABE in 1988, and the Outstanding Service Award he received in 2000 is a fitting tribute to a great Association man.
Jim Cunningham 1999
Jim has served the Association at the highest possible level when he became President in 1986; he also chaired a number of different committees including the MBS committee, which he chaired for 5 consecutive years, as well as the Admissions and Building Surveyors Committee.
In 1987 Jim was given the honour of being Vice President of WOBO (World Organisation of Building Officials), and played a major role in organising the highly acclaimed World Congress held in London. Three years later in 1990 he was elected President of WOBO and subsequently held the post for three years.
Jim has combined so many positions over the years that his career has been a non-stop rollercoaster. To illustrate this whilst being President of the IAAS he also held the position of Chief Building Surveyor for the London Borough of Haringey and was Chairman of no less than 3 Housing Associations.
The Association as a whole owes him thanks for the many years that he has served the Association on many different platforms. To this he is widely respected by his friends and colleagues throughout the Construction profession.