The UK’s rising stars in the commercial property sector have been recognised at the British Council for Offices’ (BCO) third annual NextGen Awards ceremony.
The Awards are part of the BCO’s NextGen programme, which sets out to mentor and encourage the next generation of professionals to become future leaders in the industry, whilst providing a platform for new talent to share ideas. The awards dinner in London was attended by the country’s top designers, developers, architects and occupiers under the age of 35. It celebrated the achievements and successes of young professionals in the commercial property sector across the UK, and the individuals who mentored them.
NextGen members also voted to choose the winner of the BCO NextGen Employer of the Year award, which recognised organisations that have created a stimulating and supportive work environment and a real commitment to the welfare of its employees, resulting in high staff satisfaction levels and a well-motivated, ambitious and integrated workforce.
The winners of the 2018 BCO NextGen Awards are:
Rising Star Scotland: Emma Macleod – Associate Director, Hurley Palmer Flatt (HPF)
Emma joined HPF with a summer placement and has recently been promoted to Associate Director. Projects have numbered AECC Energy Centre, Aberdeen’s new £333 million exhibition and conference centre, and the Cunningham House in Irvine – the North Ayrshire Council headquarters.
Rising Star North: Heather Evans – Head of Sustainability Consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall UK
Heather joined Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) as an Environmental Assistant in 2014, and progressed to her current role as Head of Sustainability Consultancy in under four years with the company. Heather has had a key role in developing RLB’s Sustainability offering, helping them to build the market-leading SKA consultancy service they offer today.
Rising Star Midlands: Guy Revell – Asset Manager, Bruntwood
Guy has played an integral role at Bruntwood – as well as being a member of, and proactive contributor to, the BCO NextGen Midlands committee, RICS Matrics and BPA Birmingham.
Rising Star South West: Matthew Hartley – Chartered Senior Structural Engineer, Arup
Matthew joined Arup in 2008 and has since contributed to, and led, many of the new generation landmark offices building under construction across Cardiff. These number Admiral Insurance Group, One Central Square, and Two Central Square, three of the largest Commercial Office construction projects in the city.
Rising Star London and South East: Jointly awarded to Ryan Dempster – Archtitectural Assistant, Buckley Grey Yeoman and Laura Hannigan – Associate, AKT II
Ryan is currently supporting on a comprehensive remodelling and extension of 77 Coleman Street, creating a 82,000sqft office-led development in the City of London.
Laura has worked on a number of high-profile commercial buildings. These include 125 Shaftesbury Avenue for developers Almacantar, and the residential-commercial development Rathbone Square, which has since become home to Facebook. She is currently part of the team working on Google’s new headquarters at London’s Kings Cross.
Graduate of the Year: Harri John, Graduate Surveyor – Cushman & Wakefield
Harri, in addition to helping support the set-up of the Global Occupier Services EMEA team within Cushman & Wakefield. Harri, who supported the award-winning Healthcare Advisory team during her graduate programme at Cushman & Wakefield, is also the co-founder of CREation, a new networking organization for those at the start of their property career.
Inspirational Leader of the Year: Amanda Whittington
Amanda’s nomination described her as ‘the true definition of an inspiring leader’ for the next generation and highlighted her ability to motivate and mentor junior colleagues. It notes that Amanda has led the first workplace scheme at FCBStudios, and has since generated more workplace projects, welcoming new ways of working, research and innovation to keep up to date in what’s happening in the office design sector.
NextGen’s Employer of the Year: Elliott Wood Partnership Ltd
Voted for by the BCO NextGen membership, Elliott Wood Partnership Ltd was recognised as an organisation which has created a stimulating and supportive work environment with a real commitment to the welfare of its employees, resulting in high staff satisfaction levels and a well-motivated, ambitious and integrated workforce.
Carl Giles, Chairman of the BCO NextGen Committee, commented: “The NextGen award winners have contributed to their region’s most impressive developments, many of them leading those projects. What’s really encouraging to see, is the significant personal contributions the winners have given to their regional BCO NextGen community, on top of their professional achievements! I’m thrilled the NextGen annual awards gives us the platform and opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge such remarkable talent within our sector.”
Katrina Kostic Samen, President of the BCO, added: “It’s heartening to see such a breadth of young talent across the country – individuals who are not just shining in their day to day roles, but making a significant contribution to the broader sector, and inspiring other young professionals. My thanks to the judges for taking on the incredibly difficult task of choosing winners from such as strong selection of nominees, and my congratulations to all of the winners”