Thames Valley: Property Awards 2019 finalists revealed

Finalists, by number of deals:

• Duncan Bailey-Kennedy
• JLL
• Lambert Smith Hampton
• Sharps Commercial
• VSL & Partners

Finalists, by Sq Ft:

• Colliers International
• Cushman & Wakefield
• Hollis Hockley
• JLL
• Lambert Smith Hampton

Working with CoStar, this category uses objective information gathered from their extensive industry-leading database on deals within the Thames Valley region. The award will be given to the property consultancy that has completed the most industrial/logistics deals across the region and the highest total by sq ft transacted from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018.

Finalists:

• Campbell Gordon
• Edgars
• Haslams Chartered Surveyors
• Stubbings Property Marketing

This award is open to all property companies (including professionals, developers, contractors, architects, etc) and celebrates the ability to take a client’s brief and ensure it is correctly managed and serviced. The nomination should focus on a specific project or client brief and should, where possible, include testimonials from the client and others involved in the scheme.

Finalists:

• Howbery Business Park
• Arlington Business Park, Theale
• Slough Trading Estate
• Innovation Catalyst TVSP

The Thames Valley is home to numerous business parks. This award recognises the role the parks play in the region’s economy and celebrates the ability of the developer, owner or management team to create a sustainable environment. Work-life balance, facilities for occupiers, innovation in transport solutions, etc, are all areas that judges will take account of.

Finalists:

• Broadway Malyan and Nexus Planning
• Make-A-Wish UK
• Gateway Building, Thames Valley Science Park

Exciting workplaces and successful businesses go together. The region is home to many companies across the digital, telecoms, pharmaceutical, professional and financial sectors. This award would go to an occupier, fit-out specialist, or developer that has created a brilliant workplace. That could be an individual office or warehouse, or even an entire development.

Judges will want to see how the design of the workplace was approached and how it has created genuine productivity gains for the business.

To be announced on the night

This award focuses on the towns and cities in the Thames Valley that are developing their offering for both employers and residents. Previous winners have implemented successful town-centre strategies and have promoted their brand, attracting inward investment. This year’s winner will be a town or city that has developed an improved environment with better facilities for all.

The judges are aware that the region is the sum of its parts and therefore evidence of cross-borough and county collaboration is also an important measure of success. Entrants need to show that they have adopted a clear strategy for improvement that has enhanced the Town/City over a period of time.

Finalists:

• Davidson
• The Future Works

The Thames Valley’s towns and cities are home to a growing number of exciting workplaces that are taking the best aspects of co-working, collaborative working environments, and innovative spaces, in landmark buildings that set the benchmark for offices in 2018 and beyond.

Judges will want to see how the design of the office workplace was approached and how it will help achieve genuine productivity gains for occupiers. Entries can be made by the occupier, the designer or architect, or the developer, agent etc.

Finalists:

• Encore Estate Management
• Martin Kemps

Property management is key, and having the right managing agent can make the difference between a building proving successful for the lessor, or not. The managing agent, appointed by the freeholder of a property or a management company, is often the ‘glue’ between the owner and the tenant. This award will be based on testimonials and case studies, and judges will look at best practice, innovation and professional approach.

Finalists:

• Chloe Sellars – Inland Homes
• David Granat – Ox Living
• Kieran Webber – Page Hardy Harris
• Kathryn O’Callaghan-Mills – Area
• Sam Oliver – Savills
• Will Morris BSc (Hons) MSc MRICS – Haslams

This award is presented to a person under 35 working in property ­– this could include professionals, architects, planners, or those working in the new areas of property tech. Apprentices and graduates are all eligible, and judges will be looking for the rising stars who are set for career success in their chosen field.

Finalists:

• Active Workplace Solutions
• Curve Workplaces
• Page Hardy Harris

This award recognises a fast-rising firm in either the commercial, industrial or residential property sectors that is shining brighter than its competitors.

Leaders Romans Group, the sponsor of this category, is itself a fast-growing and award-winning property business.

Leaders Romans Group first opened for business in 1987 and has adapted and developed in response to its customers’ needs to become one of the most accomplished property groups in the UK. As a leading light in the Thames Valley property sector, Leaders Romans Group wants to reward a successful property business that has also shone in the region in the past few years. Eligible firms include developers, agents, consultants, surveyors, lettings specialists, etc.

Finalists:

• Blake Morgan
• Boyes Turner
• Gateley plc
• Herrington Carmichael LLP

Judges are looking for a law firm whose property team has had an exceptional year, either in terms of volume of work, quality of instructions, or both. Particular attention will be given to law firms that have instructed on complex deals during the year, or that have excelled in advisory work. Eligible law firms can have acted in the commercial property or residential property markets; and can have been instructed by developers, agents, occupiers, and/or investors. In reviewing submissions from law firms, judges will also pay attention to testimonials from clients.

Finalists:

• Reading Gateway
• Slough Urban Renewal (SUR)
• The Florence Building
• The Future Works

This award is for a non-residential development – such as office, mixed-use, leisure or industrial – that has been completed, has funding or has recently received planning consent.

Judges will be assessing the impact the development will make and its contribution to the Thames Valley.

Due to the nature of this award category, judges will consider a longer time-frame than 12 months – spec schemes can be entered provided they have planning, and funding approved.

Finalists:

• Station Hill, Reading
• Thames Quarter

This award celebrates a deal or transaction that by its size, importance or location makes a significant impact on the Thames Valley. Such a deal often provides the confidence and momentum to ensure that the region remains buoyant and relevant.

Finalists:

• Walton Square, Aylesbury
• Greenings, Long Crendon
• Square House, Peppard Common
• Thameside, Windsor
• The Cox & Wyman Printworks, Reading
• Woodhurst Park, Warfield

This award goes to a specific housing development in the Thames Valley that stands out from the competition. Size doesn’t matter – judges will consider small brownfield developments and large housing estates. The entry could be an innovative conversion of a building – so Permitted Development (PD) schemes are eligible.

Judges will be looking for evidence of good design, environmental impact, sustainability, and whether the scheme has overcome unusual challenges and site constraints.

Finalists:

• Berkeley Homes Oxford and Chiltern
• Bovis Homes
• Darcliffe Homes
• Inland Homes
• Shanly Homes
• Spitfire Bespoke Homes

Successful housebuilding in the Thames Valley has to be aware of environmental issues, and a need for community engagement. It has to have real economic benefit, respecting the Thames Valley environment and showing how good design can create places where people want to live, both young and old.

The judges are looking for a Thames Valley housebuilder that incorporates these aspects into its completed schemes and consistently receives positive feedback from its customers.

To be announced on the night

This award is for a stand-out person who has promoted and created success in the execution of property strategy across the region and, more importantly, has been involved with the promotion of the Thames Valley as a great place in which to do business.