John Hannigan, Chief Executive Officer of Circle Voluntary Housing Association, will serve as Judge for the Irish Construction Industry Awards 2026, bringing extensive housing sector expertise and social impact perspective to the evaluation of entries competing for recognition in construction excellence and innovation.

A leading voice in social and affordable housing across Ireland, John Hannigan brings 30 years of experience spanning housing delivery, finance, and non-profit sector leadership. Since 2017 as CEO of Circle, he has overseen significant organisational growth, securing major funding deals, expanding housing delivery, and building strategic partnerships that advance social and affordable housing outcomes. This operational leadership provides direct understanding of construction sector's role in delivering critical social infrastructure and community impact.

John's career trajectory spans senior roles at Respond and Sunbeam House, combined with experience at major professional services firms including KPMG and EY, where he developed finance and business strategy expertise. His UK executive roles with large social landlords extend his perspective beyond Irish housing delivery to international practice standards and regulatory frameworks. This breadth across sectors and geographies positions him to evaluate construction entries with understanding of how project delivery serves broader social objectives and policy imperatives.

As Chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing Governing Board, John shapes policy across Ireland and the UK, positioning him at the intersection of housing sector strategy, regulatory development, and professional standards-setting. This governance role demonstrates his standing within the sector and influence on direction-setting for housing delivery. His policy involvement ensures his evaluation perspective remains calibrated to emerging housing requirements and regulatory evolution.

John's role as Judge brings distinctive value to the Irish Construction Industry Awards 2026: the perspective of how construction delivers not only technical excellence but social outcomes, community benefit, and policy alignment. His expertise ensures award evaluation recognises projects and organisations advancing both construction excellence and social impact.

John Hannigan's role as Judge ensures the Irish Construction Industry Awards 2026 maintains evaluation standards recognising construction's critical role in delivering social and affordable housing outcomes. His expertise will guide fair, credible recognition of excellence advancing Ireland's built environment.

Visit the official Irish Construction Industry Awards website to view award categories and the shortlist to explore finalists by category. Subscribe to the newsletter for ceremony updates, finalist spotlights, and exclusive event coverage. Book your seat at the Awards Ceremony on 16 October 2026 at the Convention Centre Dublin.