Kings Awards For Enterprise 2026 – Innovation

06 May Kings Awards For Enterprise 2026 – Innovation

Active Tunnelling Ltd Celebrates Prestigious King’s Award Recognition.

Active Tunnelling  is immensely proud to announce that we have been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation — one of the most prestigious accolades a UK business can receive.

This recognition is not simply an award; it represents the highest level of national acknowledgement, granted only after a rigorous and independent assessment process. To be recognised by His Majesty The King is a moment of enormous pride for our entire team, reflecting years of dedication, ingenuity, and commitment to doing things differently.

At the heart of this achievement is our pioneering Hydraulic Underpinning Segment Erector (HUSE) — a truly transformative innovation in shaft construction. Developed and deployed on the Stroud Sewerage Strategy project, the HUSE has redefined industry standards by dramatically improving safety, efficiency, and environmental performance.

Traditionally, segment installation relied on suspended loads and manual handling, introducing significant safety risks and limitations in build quality. Our innovation eliminates these challenges entirely. By enabling fully controlled, automated placement using excavator-mounted technology, the HUSE removes the need for manual handling and working under suspended loads — a step-change in protecting our workforce .

The results speak for themselves:

• 40% programme efficiency improvement, reducing build times from 21 minutes to 13 minutes per segment
• Zero defects (NCRs), delivering consistently high-quality construction
• Significant carbon reduction, cutting emissions by over 40% through improved processes
• Enhanced safety, removing pinch points, trapping hazards, and reliance on complex crane operations

Beyond the metrics, what truly sets this achievement apart is the impact on people. The HUSE has simplified a traditionally complex and hazardous process, giving operatives direct control, clear communication, and a safer working environment.

The King’s Award is known for its stringent judging criteria, assessing not only innovation but also measurable impact, sustainability, and real-world application. To have our work recognised at this level is a testament to the passion, expertise, and relentless drive of everyone at ATL.

This milestone belongs to our entire team — from those who conceived the idea, to those who engineered, tested, and delivered it on site. It also reflects the strength of our partnerships and the trust placed in us to challenge convention and raise standards across the industry.

We are honoured, humbled, and incredibly proud.

This is innovation that doesn’t just work — it sets a new benchmark.