MIPIM UK 2015: Sir Albert Bore was the big winner at last night’s Estates Gazette/MIPIM UK Awards, picking up two of the most prestigious prizes for his work leading Birmingham city council.
Bore, who will stand down in December, was named City Leader of the Year at the ceremony, while Birmingham itself won the coveted City of the Year Award.
The awards, presented by Gabby Logan, celebrate organisations and individuals from the private and public sectors who are making a difference to the urban fabric of the UK.
Bore has led Birmingham through a transformational year. In January it was named the most investable UK city in the influential ULI/PwC Emerging Trends in Real Estate report. Last month, the new Grand Central shopping centre, complete with a flagship John Lewis store, opened above New Street station, while occupiers, including HSBC, have moved large chunks of their operation to the city.
A judging panel comprising almost 50 senior figures selected the winners; the Estates Gazette editorial team cast votes for candidates in some categories.
In a new award category, Collaborator of the Year, Transport for London took top honours for its efforts to turn more than 50 sites in its 5,700-acre London portfolio into 10m sq ft of homes, offices and shops.
One of its partners, Appear Here, won the Disruptor of the Year award. The firm uses an online platform to list pop-up space in major cities, bringing together more than 10,000 brands, including Google, Nike and Jamie Oliver, and 250 landlords across the UK. Last year it raised £5m to continue expansion.
Estates Gazette editor Damian Wild said: “What impressed our judges was the innovation, diversity and tenacity shown by all the winners in areas where fresh thinking is desperately needed. Some of the projects will contribute to speeding up delivery of much-needed affordable housing, others will help rebalance the economy away from London.”
samantha.mcclary@estatesgazette.com
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