Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
The evening seeks to showcase the best of the East of England’s property industry presenting an opportunity to attend a unique black-tie event in Cambridge with leaders from across the property sector in a venue that can compete with any London ‘style’ awards evening. After all, who needs to go to London when you can attend a quality event close to home?
Ollie Phillips is a former English professional rugby union player. Phillips combined successful careers in both the 15-a-side game and also the Olympic version of the game, Rugby Sevens. Phillips captained England Sevens and was named ‘7s World Rugby Player of the Year’ in 2009 while also pursuing a professional career in 15s with four clubs in England and France, where he was voted ‘Overseas Player of the Year’ in 2011.
Since retiring from rugby, Phillips has volunteered as a charity ambassador. He currently works as a Director at PWC in London and in 2018 set up ‘Optimist Performance’, through which he works with companies and individuals by speaking and consulting in the core areas of: Teamwork, Leadership, Resilience and Change.
Former Rugby International
Horta Properties
YMCA Trinity Group
UK Property Forums
Paul Basham Associates
Churchmanor Estates
John Blair Associates
Ramidus Consulting
KMC Transport Planning
Henbe Communications
Savills
Photos of the New Dining Hall (designed by Feilden Fowles Architects) and The Griffin Bar in Homerton College, Cambridge
New Dining Hall, Homerton College, Cambridge CB2 8PH
Car parking is available on site or Cambridge Railway Station is just a short walk away.
The EastPropAwards is targeted at projects, people, and places that are located across the East of England and will be judged by a panel with extensive experience and knowledge. For the sake of clarity, this covers a range of property sectors (office, industrial, retail, life science and residential) located in the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
In the design and implementation of the awards, we will strive to reduce the carbon footprint of this event. For example, the decision on the location of the venue is near public transport stations, the use of digital ticketing in all aspects of event management, the limited use of paper where possible, the provenance of the food served, and the design of the awards, which will be made of recycled or sustainable materials. As the event approaches, we will incorporate initiatives into the event.
Celebrating success is an important part of business life and the giving of awards is a simple but effective way of saying – well done!
Judges will aim to cut the list to a maximum of four companies for each award which ensures that attendees have a reasonable degree of expectation on the evening of the awards. The Judges are ‘refreshed’ on an annual basis to ensure that there is a degree of change on the panel and that different views are heard. As a rule, we invite the Leader of the Year and NextGen winners to join the judging panel on a three-year cycle. Finally, where conflict of interests occurs, Judges are removed from the judging process and a degree of neutrality is preserved.
The Judges will be looking for submissions that cover the 12 months of 2024, however, they can cover a longer time frame if the project’s gestation period has been more than 12 months. Where possible, site visits from the Judges will take place and full Terms & Conditions are listed on the submission form.
CORE CRITERIA EXPECTED ON ALL SUBMISSIONS BY THE JUDGES
As the first award on the evening, this category will showcase a deal, transaction or agreement which has changed the course of your business during the past 12 months and would be seen as a barometer of success by your peers across the East of England real estate market. Submissions could come from the across the real estate sectors and could cover a major transaction or merger, acquisition, property sale or the winning of a major contract. All submissions should reflect the scope and depth of your successes in the East of England, using references from clients and other supporting evidence to help provide support information for the Judges.
Submit entry via online form
The need for quality architecture across the East of England has never had such a high profile. Driven by client expectations and the rigours of the planning process, architects have had to absorb the many challenges thrown at them and produce buildings which not only respect the local vernacular, match the expectations of the planners and of course, client approval. Judges will be looking for architects who can demonstrate a credible track record in the region over a period which will inevitably be spread over a period of years. Documentation needs to include information about the business and examples of past projects as evidence of success. Submitting companies do not have to have an office in the East of England but the projects submitted do need to be located to be in the region.
Submit entry via online form
After the success of 2024, we would like to receive submissions from a Company / Consultant / Project Team that can demonstrate how it has become a responsible employer or project and the benefits this has delivered to the business. Measurables could include your approach to innovation, social value, local community engagement, environment credentials, employee engagement backed up by feedback from clients or your supply chain on your approach to responsible business. The Judges will take into consideration all these criteria and decide on which company should be recognised by its peers as best in class.
Submit entry via online form
New housing is such an important part of the East of England vision. This award recognises a housing development (or developer) that manages to achieve the proverbial holy grail of matching the needs of the planners, the local community and help to fulfil the needs of the East of England housing plans. Submissions need to showcase an approach to quality design, placemaking, sustainability, ESG agenda and use of materials. To be accepted, the project must have been completed, or a phase recently completed and could include plans for Garden Towns, Urban Villages, individual homes or small estates. NB In the past we have split this category into two, large (10 or more home developments) and small (individual and under 10 houses developments).
Submit entry via online form
Industrial, science, education and office development activity across the whole of the East of England has been strong since early 2024. This award encourages submissions from development teams who have been involved with new projects in these sectors and can demonstrate that the buildings have matched the client’s brief and are part of the Local Plan to generate new income for the East of England. Attaching references from clients and other supporting evidence will always help the judges in their deliberations along with supporting information about the company submitting.
Submit entry via online form
Education and learning are a key part of the DNA in Cambridge and the East of England. Therefore, investment in the built environment and real estate is an essential part of the built environment across the region. Judges will be looking for projects which can demonstrate not only inspirational interiors to inspire students but also exterior design which is adds to the local environment. Documentation needs to include information about the business and examples of past projects as evidence of success. Submitting companies do not have to have an office in the East of England but the projects submitted do need to be located to be in the region.
Submit entry via online form
The drive towards the design of low carbon buildings is an integral part of all development briefs across the East of England. Developers, building owners and their design teams need to reflect the demands of low carbon and sustainable design in their projects such as the approach to the design but also the materials used. Proposals for this category need to showcase a strategy and delivery plan to achieve a low carbon and sustainable project which is measurable in respect of benefits to the environment and potentially will have accreditation from industry bodies. NB This award could also be entered in one of the other categories and the Judges are sympathetic to the challenges that the pursuit of zero carbon has in Legacy Cities such as Cambridge.
Submit entry via online form
Most of the projects which are submitted for East Prop Awards are completed or handed over however many projects are still (stuck?) in the planning process or at a pre-application stage. Judges will be looking for projects which can demonstrate a clear appreciation of the site, inspirational design or will be of scale creating a positive affect for the environment by its scale. Documentation needs to include information about the business and examples of past projects as evidence of success. Submitting companies do not have to have an office in the East of England but the projects submitted do need to be located to be in the region.
Submit entry via online form
A special award for a special project. Entries for this award will showcase the East of England finest new quality buildings which answer the client’s brief, and which become inspirational for the users and the wider community. Alternatively, it could include a new build project which has been constructed to a high-level of finish, design, procurement and with strong sustainable credentials. Entries can come from across all sectors including the office, educational, residential and retail sectors, which have all been past winners of this award. At the discretion of the judges, entries may also be submitted from other categories for this award.
Submit entry via online form
New for 2025, The Apprentice of the Year Award celebrates the outstanding achievements of those of their higher-level apprenticeships. This award recognises candidates who have demonstrated excellence and have had a significant impact on their industry. These apprentices excel in their technical abilities and show the initiative to innovate and make a difference, all while successfully balancing the demands of their apprenticeship with full-time work. Working closely with Anglia Ruskin University, we agreed on some basic criteria: entry should be completed in conjunction with the employer or training provider and the student must have enrolled by September 2024. Submissions must include training details, examples of completed work, references, and testimonials and submitted on paper with photos to accompany the proposal.
Submit entry via online form
A celebration of a person under 35 years of age, who has shown leadership and is an inspiration to others around them. Working with members from NextGenEast and companies across the East of England, submissions need to demonstrate, not only how the individual has become an integral part of the business, but also how they have shown responsibility beyond their age. Examples of successful project delivery may include evidence of success from their ‘clients’ in the form of references and case studies. Depending on the range of submissions for this award; Judges may split to ensure that there is a fair comparison of skills.
Submit entry via online form
The Judges will decide on a shortlist from all the project submissions for the attendees to vote on the winner. Using Slido, which we successfully achieved last years the EastPropAwards, we will use the platform to select the Best of the Best 2025 and present an award on the evening.
MattBatt Award – The People’s Vote (sponsored by UKPF)
Oakhill Bereavement Crematorium, Welwyn
Deal of the Year (sponsored by Churchmanor)
Winner – One Cambridge Square, Cambridge, submitted by Bidwells
Highly Commended – Unity Campus, Sawston, submitted by Mills & Reeve
Architect of the Year (sponsored by DevComms)
Winner – Chaplin Farrant
Highly Commended – Saunders Boston Architects
Responsible Employer of the Year (sponsored by Tees)
Winner – Saunders Boston Architects
Highly Commended – RG Carter
Residential Development of the Year (sponsored by Savills)
Winner – Ironworks, Mill Road, Cambridge
Highly Commended – Yusuf Hamied Court – Christ’s College, Cambridge
Commercial Project of the Year (sponsored by Grovemere Property)
Winner – Unity Campus, Sawston
Highly Commended – 20 Station Road, Cambridge
Highly Commended – Ben’s Yard, Stuntney
Educational Project of the Year (sponsored by Land Aid)
Winner – The Valley School SEN, Stevenage
Highly Commended – Heltwate SEN School, Peterborough
Low Carbon Project of the Year (sponsored by Lanpro Services)
Winner – Building Hangar 84/85, Cranfield University
Highly Commended – Hope Street Yard, Cambridge
Future Project of the Year (sponsored by Eastern Echo)
Winner – Waterbeach Barracks, Cambridge
Highly Commended – Alchemy Campus, Fowlmere
Project of the Year (sponsored by Mills & Reeve)
Winner – Yusuf Hamied Court – Christ’s College, Cambridge
Highly Commended – 20 Station Road, Cambridge
Highly Commended – Oakhill Bereavement Crematorium, Welwyn
NextGen (Under 35) of the Year (sponsored by Horta Properties)
Winner – Jonah Balmford, TSA Riley
Highly Commended – Giuliana Borg, Saunders Boston Architects
Highly Commended – Leah Tompkins, DevComms
Team of the Year (sponsored by Handelsbanken)
Winner – DevComms
Highly Commended – KMC Transport Planning
Leader of the Year (sponsored by Handelsbanken)
Winner – Robin Butler, managing director, Urban & Civic plc
See a gallery of the event here.
Images by alanglais.com
Award for Best Law Firm (sponsored by Carter Jonas)
Winner – Mills & Reeve
Highly commended – HCR Hewitsons
Award for Best Planning Advisor (sponsored by Eastern Echo)
Winner – Bidwells
Highly commended – Lanpro Services
Award for Best Architect or Landscape Architect (sponsored by Horta Properties)
Winner – Saunders Boston Architects
Highly commended – Chaplin Farrant
Award for Best Contractor (sponsored by LandAid)
Winner – Morgan Sindall
Highly commended – Barnes Construction
Award for Deal of the Year (sponsored by DevComms)
Winner – Jaynic for The Range pre-sale at Gateway 14
Highly commended – Bidwells for Brooklands, Cambridge
Award for Best Residential Development / Developer (sponsored by Savills)
Winner – More’s Meadow, Cambridge
Highly commended – Laureate Fields, Felixstowe
Award for Best Commercial Project (sponsored by Churchmanor Estates)
Winner – CMR Surgical Manufacturing Facility, Ely
Highly commended – 30 Station Road, Cambridge
Award for Project of the Year (sponsored by Mills & Reeve)
Winner – The Nest, Norwich
Highly commended – Dojima Brewery Sake Store, Ely
NextGen Award (sponsored by Lanpro)
Winner – Joe Last, Savills
Highly commended – Charlie Clark, Carter Jonas
Team of the Year (sponsored by Pigeon)
Winner (small team) – Carter Jonas Cambridge Lettings Team
Winner (large team) – Stantec / Barton Willmore
Property Leader of the Year (sponsored by Pigeon)
Sven Töpel, chief executive of Brookgate
A gallery of the evening can be viewed here.
Images by alanglais.com
The EastPropAwards is a Black Tie Dinner and will be held at Homerton College in Cambridge. The venue seats 250 people for the dinner and we are now taking bookings. The cost of each ticket includes a reception drink, a three-course meal + coffee, a limited amount of wine and of course access to the bar afterwards for the de-brief!
For the EastPropAwards, our moderator Ollie Phillips will present the awards to the winning companies and individuals. Our aim will be to complete formal part of the evening by 10.45pm and allow time for guests to mingle and network.
Book direct via their website for a single/double ensuite room. Use event code KX67329
