There has never been a more important year to enter the EG Awards. The best event in real estate celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and promises to be a night unlike any other.
But time is running out to be in with a chance to get your hands on a coveted EG Award, so to help you put together the very best submission you can, we have asked some of our former judges what they look out for most.
This year we have 20 categories up for grabs, including a new Campaign of the Year award, which seeks to celebrate the best marketing campaign for your building or business.
The favourites are still there too from UK Adviser – now without a cap on turnover, meaning there’s an opportunity for specialist consultancies to really show off their expertise – to Deal of the Year (London and the regions), City of the Year, the Sustainability Award, Social Value Award to our sector-specific awards for BTR, alternatives, workspace and industrial and, of course, our Outstanding Individual of the Year.
The big night on 21 November – in a new venue – promises to be a night of celebration unlike any other, where we gather to highlight the best of real estate and all that it delivers for the economy, planet and people.
Entry to the EG Awards is free and submissions are judged by a cross-section of the built environment – and members of EG’s latest cohort of Future Leaders.
Compiling the perfect submission is tough though, so to help you pull together an award-winning entry, here is what some of our judges will be keen to see:
Pete Gladwell, group social impact and investment director, Legal & General
“Submissions that stand out for me are the ones that avoid ‘talking the talk’ and focus on how they have actually ‘walked the walk’. Nothing is more annoying than someone talking about what they are planning to do one day, accompanied by a shiny CGI, and hoping to win an award for that. I will be focused on delivery. How have lives been changed for the better? Are the environmental credentials credible? Have the financial returns been delivered – or are they just a forecast?”
Vivienne King, founder, Impactful Places
“What stands out for me in submissions is very simple: that the criteria has been followed and there is hard evidence. I will be looking for something exciting and forward-looking that recognises the role of the built environment in improving the real-world experience of people inside the building and its neighbourhood.”
Helen Gordon, chief executive, Grainger
“Reviewing the contributions of the best of our industry is inspiring, so I will be looking for innovation and creativity and something that moves our industry forward.”
Shobi Khan, chief executive, Canary Wharf Group
“What stands out for me is a submission that presents clear business case and impact – either to the company, property or community. I will be looking at how firms embrace technology and/or EDI efforts.”
James Raynor, chief executive, Grosvenor Property UK
“A description of why the proposal is unique or differentiated always stands out for me in submissions. I will be looking for entries that show a positive social contribution.”
Emily Bohill, founder and managing partner, Bohill Partners
“I will be looking for examples of impact, detail from people about what difference the person has made, cross-referenced with others in the market. I want to see change-makers, people who are making a difference – bringing creativity, diversity and impact to the industry.”
Ola Alade, EG Future Leader and founder, Olawill
“Innovative ideas stand out for me. I would like to see ideas and people/companies that are pushing the envelope. I am also fascinated to hear about new sectors within property and successful integration of technology. I am looking for examples of technology implementation. I am also keeping an eye out for good examples of social value creation.”
Sue Brown, managing director, Real Estate Balance
“Transparency and authenticity make submissions stand out for me. I appreciate that real estate organisations are at different stages in their journey towards diversity – some are just starting out, while others are setting the standards for best practice. What stands out is when organisations are honest about what is working and where there is still work to be done. This takes courage and a willingness to change, but it is the only way we can work together to create an industry that is fairer, better-balanced and more equitable for everyone. Real Estate Balance is all about finding practical solutions to address real-world EDI challenges, so I will be on the lookout for the initiatives and organisations taking tangible actions and achieving measurable impact. While it is easy to talk about progressing EDI, making this a reality is much harder – so I want to celebrate those finding practical ways of challenging outdated norms and driving cultural change in our industry.”
Entries close at midnight on 26 April.
Click here to find out more about the awards, all 20 categories, how to enter and how to book your table for the best night of the year. And because it is our 20th birthday, we are giving a 20% discount on all table bookings until the end of April.
Main photo © Ed Telling
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