WELL Building Institute
Property’s great and good gathered at London’s Grosvenor House last week to celebrate the most prestigious awards in the real estate calendar. Here we profile the winners
Click here to view pictures and videos from the awards ceremony >>
Sir Stuart Lipton
Outstanding contribution to property
Sponsored by Together
There is no more deserving winner of EG’s Outstanding Contribution to Property Award than Sir Stuart Lipton.
This most decorated of developers – knighted in 2000, an honorary fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architecture and holder of honorary doctorates in both engineering and philosophy – has a CV that boasts somewhere north of 20m sq ft of development in the capital.
In Broadgate, Stockley Park and Chiswick Park he has delivered three genuine game-changers over his career.
Lipton may be into a fifth decade of changing the London skyline but in 22 Bishopsgate, EC2, and Silvertown Quays, E20, there may be two more to come. 22, as it is already becoming known, is designed to “put people first”, says Lipton. Developed with AXA, 100,000 sq ft will be devoted to wellness and the scheme was the first in London to adopt the WELL Building Institute’s WELL Building Standard. The £3.5bn Silvertown scheme is nothing less than one of London’s most important regeneration projects.
Speaking to EG after receiving his award, Lipton was asked to name the project of which he was most proud. He picked Broadgate’s 1 Finsbury Avenue, EC2. “It was an innovative, ground-breaking project of architectural distinction, construction simplicity, user efficiency, and it’s listed,” he said.
Lipton turns 75 in November and believes the industry has grown up in the decades since he started out. But it still faces a challenge: “It’s very much more professional, more knowledgeable, more thoughtful and more caring but it doesn’t build enough homes.”
WiredScore
EG London
Sponsored by BNP Paribas Real Estate
If the past 12 months have seen this industry get proptech, there are a small number of revolutionaries who deserve credit for educating, cajoling and demonstrating that there really is no choice but to embrace the new order.
WiredScore is among those who have led the uprising. Wired certification is a commercial real estate rating system that empowers landlords to understand, improve and promote their buildings’ digital infrastructure.
In Europe its charge has been led by William Newton and Tom Redmayne. The fact that the pair won our Rising Star Award in 2016 and just 12 months later have picked up the EG London Award shows how far they have come, and how fast.
Newton and Redmayne have a big role to play in demonstrating that London remains open for business.
Battersea Power Station Development Company
Deal of the Year
Sponsored by Carter Jonas
Battersea’s prelet to Apple of 500,000 sq ft of the power station’s Boiler House stood out as one of the largest deals in West End and South Bank history. More than that, it shows that London and the UK remains a corporate destination of choice during testing times.
The deal will be instrumental in helping Battersea promote the remaining phases of the development, and more widely support Nine Elms’ ongoing regeneration. But it’s even bigger than that.
The judges could not ignore the ground-breaking entry, commenting on “a standout deal that is going to have a huge impact in London and nationally”.
Elevator tweet: @EstatesGazette excellent progress on three live construction phases + new 500k sq ft Apple campus deal, exceptional moment for BPS & London
Sky
Creative Spaces Award
Sponsored by Global Guardians
Sky Central is an activity-based space over three floors in west London.
Designed and constructed under Sky’s management, the 3,500-person workplace ticked all the boxes for the judges.
The 12,000 sq ft, architecturally striking build positively impacts the area socially and economically, offering work and community project investments for residents, while maintaining a forward-thinking and technologically advanced working space.
“It is an impressive office city, which addresses employees’ wellbeing and the community. It all seems to work and looks excellent,” said the judges.
Elevator tweet: Sky Central: an amazing creative and connected space in west London that enables 3,500 people to do the best work of their career #lifeatsky
CBRE
Global Real Estate Adviser of the Year
Sponsored by Linklaters
CBRE enjoyed another strong year, with increases in global revenue and earnings as well as the successful integration of a major acquisition, Johnson Controls’ Global Workplace Solutions.
But it was the adviser’s adoption of technology and innovation that really piqued the judges’ interest.
“Something that they are doing in the industry better than anyone else is their approach to technology,” said one judge.
Another added: “Most people realise that most businesses will become technology-led and their strategy stands ahead of any other company – the whole package was impressive.”
Elevator tweet: CBRE had another strong year, setting new records with double-digit growth in global revenue and earnings, paced by excellent performance in all regional businesses
Berwin Leighton Paisner
Real Estate Legal Team of the Year
Sponsored by CLS Risk Solutions
“Trailblazer for the industry”, is how Berwin Leighton Paisner describes its approach. And the judges were in agreement.
It has the largest real estate legal offering in the UK, with almost 80 partners and 240 other lawyers who between them account for more than 50% of the firm’s turnover. Core real estate earned £76m of revenue in 2016.
The judges also praised BLP’s commitment to diversity. More than 30% of its partners are female and it has been voted a top-10 firm in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index.
BLP also demonstrated that it met clients’ business goals, whatever the complexity of the deal. “This was a well written brief and gave a great idea of how the business worked,” said our judges.
Elevator tweet: The strongest and largest full-service real estate offering of any UK-headquartered law firm acting on the most and highest profile real estate projects in the UK
Savills
Residential Adviser of the Year
Sponsored by Lansdowne Auctions
In a challenging market, Savills’ performance hugely impressed the judges. A host of top-level clients, solid revenues, strong client retention rates and some key acquisitions saw the adviser retain its crown for another year.
Its research on the residential sector and glowing client testimonials made this a stand-out entry. And with more than 31,000 total unit transactions, the firm grew a key metric.
“Savills has always equipped itself very well,” said one judge.
“This is business as usual for them. They are great firm,” said another.
Elevator tweet: An innovative market leader, Savills is at the forefront of the residential market, committed to client satisfaction and success
Ballymore
Residential Company of the Year
Sponsored by CBRE
“Ballymore has been unbelievable this year in what it has achieved,” was a comment from one judge.
With 2,000 homes developed across London, 7,000 under construction, a trebling of its sales pipeline on 2015 and a string of strategic partnerships secured, no wonder Ballymore’s performance was labelled “stellar” by the panel. With praise for Ballymore’s successful exit from Nama coming alongside its financial and developmental successes – a £2.6bn forward pipeline, a trebling of its £842m sales in 2015 – the business was a clear winner in this category.
Elevator tweet: Ballymore has delivered 2,000 new homes in London this year; with a further 7,000 under construction, it is a prime candidate for this award
Cain International
Lender of the Year
Sponsored by Hays Property and Surveying
Cain International was among the more emphatic winners at this year’s EG Awards. It will come as no great surprise to some. A prominent and innovative lender, Cain arranged a number of landmark deals with a total value of £650m during the awards year.
A stand-out deal was its £78m loan to residential developer Lodha UK, believed to have been the largest structured debt financing following the EU referendum.
A £450m development loan to Canary Wharf Group to fund its office development One & Five Bank Street, E14, is believed to be the largest development financing to complete following the triggering of Article 50.
Cain’s entry showed a focused and flexible approach to lending. “Scale is not an issue for them,” said one judge, with another saying: “It has a different approach of looking at major schemes.”
Elevator tweet: A prominent and innovative lender, Cain International arranged a number of landmark deals with a total value of £650m during the period
Lunson Mitchenall
Retail & Leisure Adviser of the Year
Sponsored by TH Real Estate
Lunson Mitchenall’s ability to think outside the box and work on a string of high-profile transactions won over our judges.
The business increased turnover by 25% and profit by 145% last year, facilitating key investment deals and some of the most transformative retail leasing of the past 12 months.
One highlight was advising on 2017’s largest shopping centre deal – and one of the biggest retail transactions since the Brexit vote – the sale of Delancey’s 50% stake in Southside, SW18, for £150m.
“They are going through an evolution and doing it well,” said one judge.
Another was even more effusive: “This year they have done terrific investment business. I think they are outstanding.”
Elevator tweet: There’s a new #heavyweight in town! @LMretail punches well above its weight to beat #Brexit as #Retail & #Leisure adviser of #2017
Hammerson
Retail & Leisure Company of the Year
Sponsored by Hartnell Taylor Cook
Hammerson significantly enhanced its portfolio in 2016, expanding retail space in fast-growth markets including Dublin, Leeds and Birmingham. Its Victoria Gate opening in Leeds – the only major UK retail development to launch in 2016 – was described as “magnificent” by the judges.
But it was not just enhancements to its physical portfolio which impressed. In early 2017, Hammerson announced the successful beta trial completion of a new visual search app, “FindSimilar”, at Brent Cross.
And it became the first property company globally to launch a comprehensive net-positive strategy covering both environmental and
socio-economic impacts.
One judge commented: “This entry demonstrates both financial success and innovative thinking. Hammerson demonstrates it understands the customer experience, future trends and the fast pace of change by mixing digital with physical.”
Elevator tweet: Developer, owner and manager of iconic destinations incorporating the best of retail and leisure alongside world-class design and innovation
Knight Frank
Industrial Adviser of the Year
Sponsored by Kier
Knight Frank put together a powerful presentation backed up by strong testimonials to secure the Industrial Adviser of the Year accolade.
The firm showcased new deals across the board, the pick of which was the forward funding, and letting to Amazon, of Roxhill and Forth Ports’ London Distribution Park development in Tilbury. It was the largest forward funding deal ever and the UK’s biggest prelet of 2016.
With strong growth in profit and income per fee-earner, the judges said: “People at Knight Frank show partnership ethos, they really work hard and don’t take clients for granted. They have stepped into a market in which we wouldn’t necessarily expect to see them and they have done well.”
Elevator tweet: #KFIndustrial advised on the largest forward funding deal ever and the biggest prelet in the UK 2016 #Amazon #Roxhill & Forth Ports, Tilbury
SEGRO
Industrial Company of the Year
Sponsored by RCP Parking and Targetfollow
In the year that sheds became sexy, it has been another great 12 moths for SEGRO. The business returned 20.6%, ahead of its rivals, as e-commerce helped London sheds boom.
The business raised £900m of new equity in a placing and rights issue (and £880,000 for charity too) and increased occupier satisfaction. It also secured an exclusive partnership with developer Roxhill, with the potential to create 10m sq ft of big-box logistics warehousing in the South East and Midlands, an investment of £800m over 10 years. It was a deal described by the judges as “transformational”.
The judges also made special mention of SEGRO’s Keep London Working report, submitted to the Greater London Authority, drawing attention to the serious implications of a shortage of industrial supply. One judge said: “They are on the front foot with all the political soundings. They have given a strong entry and have achieved a lot more in 12 months than their competitors.”
Malcolm Hollis
Specialist Adviser of the Year
Sponsored by Market Financial Solutions
Malcolm Hollis’ performance, including a 22% rise in profit and a record turnover, persuaded the judges to award the business the Specialist Adviser of the Year crown.
With a client retention rate of 90%, the firm’s roster features some of the biggest names around, including Amazon and LaSalle Investment Management.
Compellingly, it was an entry which was supported by great testimonials. As well as growth in mainland Europe, the awards year saw an office opening in Ashford and expansion in Bristol, Liverpool and Leeds.
The firm is the largest specialist surveying firm in the UK, prompting the judges to say: “Their stats backed up an impressive operation. The way they pursue innovation is great.”
Elevator tweet: Hollis hits new heights: record turnover, 300+ staff, new UK offices, Best Place to Work award, major new client wins & expansion in Europe
Kontor
Offices Adviser of the Year
Sponsored by Buro Four
Just two years old, Kontor is going from strength to strength. A small operation starting to make a real impact, the company focuses on the tech, media and creative sectors and prides itself on meeting the needs of modern businesses.
The firm has focused on innovation and market knowledge to grow a profitable, market-leading business, winning impressive mandates from a wide range of clients. 2016 saw the firm acquire more than 1m sq ft for market disruptors including WeWork, Jaguar Land Rover and Monzo, helping fuel turnover growth of 225% and a tripling of staff headcount.
Strong testimonials caught the attention of the judges. “What they are accomplishing, for a small company, is really impressive,” said one.
Elevator tweet: In 2 yrs @Kontor_Space has tripled headcount & turnover, & acquired 1m+ sq ft for market disruptors inc WeWork, Jaguar Land Rover, Monzo
Derwent London
Offices Company of the Year
Sponsored by Malcolm Hollis
2016 was another stand-out year for Derwent London, with a number of landmark deals and innovations. Its largest letting was the 87,150 sq ft, £7.4m prelet to Capita at the Copyright Building, W1.
The company’s emphasis on innovation and design, not least at its new White Collar Factory, EC1, coupled with a commitment to sustainability and client satisfaction wowed the judges. Equally impressive was the company’s commitment to working with local communities to take into consideration the impact of its developments. All of these factors have seen the firm win a string of awards in the past 12 months.
The judges were unanimous in their voting, saying: “They are a standout winner. From an occupiers’ point of view, you would want to see their spaces, because you know it’s what you would want to be in.”
Elevator tweet: 2016 lettings our best year ever, continuing into 2017. Our buildings are our brand
U+I and the London Borough of Lewisham for Deptford Market Yard
Collaborators Award
Sponsored by Mishcon de Reya and Mount Anvil
True collaboration does not happen overnight and when it is done well it lasts a lifetime. The success of the winner of this year’s Collaborators Award is the culmination of more than eight years of working in partnership with a London borough to transform an area judges said had been “overlooked by local businesses and blighted by poverty”.
Our winners took their time to create a project particular to the area rather than deliver an identikit solution. This innovative collaboration embodies what property regeneration should be about, transforming undervalued parts of towns and cities into communities where people and enterprise can thrive.
Michelle Rothwell
Rising Star Award
Sponsored by Tuffin Ferraby Taylor
A former CBRE office agent, Manchester-based Michelle Rothwell branched out on her own in 2016 when she launched property investment and urban regeneration company Watch This Space.
Her vision is to transform ordinary spaces into innovative and creative places for people to live, work and play. “The business was created around one question,” she says. “Are we inspiring people to love where they wake up, meet with friends, go to work and enjoy themselves? We want to build the future we all imagine living in.”
The judges said the mixture of Rothwell’s watertight business acumen, dedication to delivery and unwavering positivity was “an inspiration” and “everything that being a Rising Star should encompass”.
Also a two-time world record holder, Michelle is part of the team that holds the record for completing the world’s longest fresh water swim and, in 2012, she was the youngest woman to complete the Arch to Arc challenge – a five-day triathlon from Marble Arch in London to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Elevator tweet: 2x world record holder Michelle is passionate and adventurous – setting up Watch This Space to create inspiring spaces to challenge the norm
HB Reavis UK
Global Real Estate Investor of the Year
Sponsored by Knight Frank
2016 saw HB Reavis move from the margins to the mainstream. It enjoyed a record year, one which saw it deliver 1.47m sq ft of commercial space across three markets.
Overall, the business raised £836m from the disposal of 14 investment properties during 2016, strengthening the company’s balance sheet and allowing it to continue investing in its pipeline of high-quality development opportunities in London and elsewhere.
The company’s landmark deal was the sale in the UK of 33 Central, EC4, the first scheme to be launched by a Central European developer in London’s prime real estate market. The 227,172 sq ft office scheme was sold to Wells Fargo, the US’ third largest bank, for £300m, realising a profit of £163.5m. The deal – referred to by one judge as “hugely important” – was completed just days after the EU referendum.
Elevator tweet: HB Reavis: a company from over there doing rather well over here. The international developer is now making a splash in the London market
SEGRO
National Company of the Year
Sponsored by Savills
Another great win for SEGRO. This year industrial property outgunned the office, retail and residential sectors, with SEGRO as standard bearer.
The judges were taken by SEGRO’s performance, commenting: “They have repositioned their portfolio well and are generating fantastic returns, outperforming every other region. I don’t think they have put a foot wrong.”
As performance at many REITs tumbled – indeed, the FTSE 250 index of property companies returned a lacklustre -0.1% – an investment in SEGRO on 1 April 2016 would have returned 20.6% over the following 12 months.
As well as joint ventures and successful fundraising (to finance its development pipeline and acquire the remaining 50% share in the Airports Property Partnership), SEGRO also teamed up with Shoreditch-based group The Bakery to launch an innovation accelerator, matching large and small companies with solutions to each other’s needs.
Elevator tweet: SEGRO returned 20.6% – beating all rivals – as e-commerce helped London sheds boom. We raised £900m from investors and £880k for charity too
Gerald Eve
National Adviser of the Year
Sponsored by Octopus Property
Gerald Eve’s acquisition of five teams from Deloitte Real Estate was a transformative moment for the firm and the defining corporate agency deal of the year. In one move, Gerald Eve created a step-change in its business and shook up the national advisory market.
The deal fuelled growth in turnover, profit and income per fee-earner, along with expanded service lines and further development of international alliances. The firm is taking the lead on improving diversity and inclusivity through initiatives such as Changing the Face of Property, and in 2016 it made the Sunday Times’ 100 Best Companies to Work For report – the only top agent to do so.
“They have provided a good pitch,” said the judges, adding: “It is great to see them doing something entrepreneurial. They are a decent and proper team.”
Elevator tweet: A transformative year, an integrated approach, a multi-disciplinary service and unrivalled advice. A genuine property advisory force emerges
The judges
- Alan Bainbridge, property portfolio director, BBC
- Alex Jeffrey, chief executive, M&G Real Estate
- Alex Price, chief executive, Palmer Capital
- Alistair Elliott, senior partner & group chairman, Knight Frank
- Andy Bruce, partner, global head of real estate, Linklaters
- Andy Stanton, marketing manager, Global Guardians
- Brian Reynolds, One Public Estate programme director, Local Government Association
- Calum Ewing, head of property, Metro Bank
- Chris Ireland, UK chief executive, JLL
- Clem Constantine, global real estate leader, Clems Consulting
- Daniel Van Gelder, founding director, Exemplar
- David Mann, partner, Tuffin Ferraby Taylor
- Dominik Jackson, founding partner, Jackson & Jackson
- Faisal Butt, entrepreneur and investor, Spire Ventures
- Fiona Fletcher-Smith, executive director of development, enterprise and environment, GLA
- Gerald Kaye, chief executive, Helical
- Harvey Soning, chairman, James Andrew International
- Huw Stephens, head of UK transactions, AXA Real Estate Investment Managers
- Mark Rigby, chief executive, CVS
- Jennet Siebrits, head of residential research, CBRE
- Jeremy Collins, property director, John Lewis
- Joe Borrett, director of real estate and construction (EMEA and India), Google
- John Woodman, senior partner, Malcolm Hollis
- John Burbage, founder, Burbage Realty
- Jonathan Rose, managing director, Pears Property
- Killian Hurley, chief executive, Mount Anvil
- Laura Gibson, head of marketing and communications, BNP Paribas Real Estate
- Ludo Mackenzie, head of commercial property, Octopus Property
- Mark Robinson founder, Ellandi
- Mark Ridley, chief executive, UK and Europe, Savills
- Matt Chappell, senior underwriter, CLS Risk Solutions
- Matt Crompton, joint managing director, Muse Developments
- Melanie Leech, chief executive, British Property Federation
- Neil McLeod, senior director – head of central London, Aviva Investors
- Neil Usher, former workplace director, Sky
- Paresh Raja, chief executive, Market Financial Solutions
- Pete Gladwell, head of public sector partnerships, Legal & General Investment Management
- Philip Lewis, chief executive, property, Kirsh Family Office
- Richard Owen, partner, Deloitte Real Estate
- Richard Young, director, Buro Four
- Rob Amey, partner, Hartnell Taylor Cook
- Scott Tyler, senior partner, Allsop
- Scott Parsons, managing director, retail portfolio, Landsec
- Sebastian Abigail, senior director, VTS
- Sharon Mitchell, senior business manager, Kier Property
- Sherin Aminossehe, chief operating officer, Government Property Unit
- Simon Hampton, senior partner, PwC
- Susan Freeman, partner, Mishcon de Reya
- Thomas Meager, group director of property, Primark
- Tim Roberts, head of offices and residential, British Land
- Todd Budgen, head of real estate – UK, EMEA & APAC, Aon Services Group
- Tony Gibbon, founding partner, GM Real Estate
- Will Mooney, partner, Carter Jonas
- Chair of the judges: Damian Wild editor, EG
