Environment Agency chairman Sir Philip Dilley along with Mårten Lindström, the boss of Swedish Consultancy More10 won the top accolade Lifetime Achievement Award at the ACE European CEO Awards on Monday night.

Both men thanked the judges and promised more to come in their careers. Sir Philip, who was formerly Arup chairman, said: “My next big chapter is the Environment Agency and I hope you see the results in the coming months and years.

Lindstrom said that his career, first in consultancy, then contracting, then back to consultancy again had given him good perspective on the industry. He also urged the audience to make sure they read all their emails. The Swedish consultancy organisation had nominated him for the award and the first he knew of his prize was from an email from the ACE in London.

Other winners on the night were:

Mouchel CEO Grant Rumbles who won the Sterling Award, given in recognition of an individual who has made a major difference transforming a business;

Philip Jones of Phil Jones Associates who won the small firm CEO of the year award;

Richard Crowe of Irish consultancy Nick O’Dwyer who won the medium firm CEO of the year award;

WSP UK managing director Mark Naysmith and AECOM CEO for Europe, Middle East and Africa Steve Morriss who both won awards as CEOs of the year in the large firm category.

ACE chief executive Nelson Ogunshakin congratulated the winners and their roles “in leading an industry that is going through major changes for the good”.