Russell named as the Best Residential and Small Commercial Designer (South East) at this year’s LABC Building Excellence Awards

We are always proud of the members at George and James and celebrate their success. We we are delighted to share that Russell McCourty has been named as the Best Residential and Small Commercial Designer (South East) at this year’s LABC Building Excellence Awards.

The LABC (Local Authority Building Control) represents all council Building Control teams across the country and its awards are the biggest of their kind in the sector, celebrating standout individuals, teams and projects nationwide. Judges look beyond design to recognise excellence in meeting or exceeding regulations, teamwork with LABC surveyors, craftsmanship, innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Russell was recognised not just for the quality of his design work, but for his innovative problem solving and collaborative approach, particularly through our LABC partnership with Chichester Building Control. He’s played a key role in setting up and running CPD events, helping raise technical standards, and sharing knowledge.

Russell said "It was a great honour to be recognised for the LABC Award, especially considering the quality of other exceptional designers in the South East region. It's comforting to have a platform to be able to establish the strong working relationship we have built with the Chichester Building Control team, and allows me to push the standard of our technical designs over and above the everyday norms. I'm proud to represent George & James, and I look forward to the National Awards in January."  

Covering all local authorities in England and Wales, the LABC network is split into 12 regions, with regional winners automatically shortlisted for the national awards, with the ceremony will again take place in early 2026.

Congratulations, Russell, for a fantastic and well-earned achievement.

Read about the awards