Mace Group

The 'Mace Barbarians' and England cricketer Phil de Freitas.

Credit: BritOval

The Mace Group is one of the world's most accomplished consultancy and constructions firms, with a reputation for finding the best solutions to complex property and real estate challenges.

In July 2010, the second 'Mace Group Celebrity Cricket Challenge' in support of WaterAid took place at the BritOval, raising £30,000 and beating the total raised by the inaugural event in 2009.

Following Mace's successful sponsorship of a WaterAid cricket event at the Brit Oval in 2007, the utilities team were keen to establish a pan industry event to help raise its profile in the sector. As a relatively new entrant in the market, Mace's utilities sector marketing strategy moving forward from 2009 is focused on creating awareness, providing knowledge and developing relationships with utility companies across the UK. 

As Mace Utilities Director Andy Sharples explains: "The event aimed to profile the Mace brand amongst the UK's water companies. We planned an informal and enjoyable day and we wanted to offer the water companies an event with a difference. Feedback so far suggests we achieved just that. WaterAid is a truly worthwhile cause and we were proud to recognise its importance and host such an event to raise awareness of the work they do."

The 2010 event saw teams from the UK water and infrastructure industry battle it out for the much coveted trophy alongside players from the Bunbury celebrity cricket team, including Mark Ramprakash.

The weather held out to allow teams from Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, DHL, Enterprise, Mace, New Civil Engineer, Thames Water, United Utilities and VMH to play three games each on the world famous Oval wicket. Mace team the Pratt Street Boys and United Utilities qualified for the grand final by topping their respective groups.

A sudden heavy downpour meant the final had to be played in the Oval's indoor arena but this did nothing to dampen the teams' competitive spirit. United Utilities, with ex-Premiership footballer John Salako, batted first to score an impressive 67 runs from five overs. Strong bowling and tight fielding from the United Utilities team put pressure on the Pratt Street Boys batsmen who could not better the opposition's total, losing by nine runs.

A champagne reception and prize giving ceremony were followed by a raffle draw for prizes including a signed England cricket bat and a Ferrari driving day. Speeches from Girish Menon, WaterAid's Director of International Programmes, Dr. David English, founder of the Bunbury Cricket team, Roger Daikin, the Bunbury's resident master of ceremonies and Andy Sharples, Mace's Utilities Director brought the event to a close.

Holly Wilkinson, Corporate Account Manager at WaterAid said: "This year's Mace Celebrity Cricket Challenge was, once again, a fantastic day. Everyone had a wonderful day of cricket and the atmosphere was brilliant, all rounded off perfectly with a short speech on WaterAid's work as well as some entertainment from some of the Bunbury characters! Mace put a huge amount of effort and time to putting on this wonderful event and we are proud to be supported by them."

Mark Reynolds of Mace Group Board presents a cheque to Girish Menon, WaterAid's Director of International Development.

Credit: BritOval

As Alan Machin, WaterAid's Head of National Fundraising, explains: "WaterAid is delighted with the support we have received from Mace; the success of their Celebrity Cricket Challenge, held at the Oval, provided a fantastic opportunity to bring together teams from across the UK Water Industry for an action-packed day of cricketing prowess.

"Mace are already planning the 2011 Celebrity Cricket Challenge which promises to be an even bigger success than this year's event.

"Mace's generous support will have a huge impact on WaterAid's vital work which enables the world's poorest people to gain access to clean water and sanitation."

And John Gilbert from the 2009 winning team, Thames Water Blades, says:
"The only thing better than having the opportunity to play at the Oval, was playing and winning at the Oval! The whole day was a great success. From the first ball bowled the Thames Team worked together, supporting and challenging one another. Well done Mace on organising such a great event, for such a worthwhile cause."

Visit Mace Group's website: www.macegroup.com