Zoom in on the next generation of talented property and construction women

May and June are busy months for our National Student Awards programme, when we find out which of our regional finalists will go through to the national Best of the Best Final in September.  For a second year running we have been holding the Awards events on Zoom, when we celebrate the skill and ambition of the industry's future stars.

The National Awards programme, kindly sponsored by Bouygues and Savills, was established to seek out the top built environment students each year and raise awareness to the many amazing and diverse career opportunities offered across this industry.  Each 2nd year student (3rd in Scotland) was nominated by her University, submitted a piece of coursework and then went before a judging panel in March.  The judges are all drawn from different industry disciplines, including surveying, engineering, construction, architecture, planning and law.

Each of the thirteen regional winners receives a £500 cash prize, a trophy and the opportunity to take part in Women in Property’s mentoring programme. The final judging panel will be held in London on 16th September, to be followed that evening by the national Best of Best Dinner at Claridge’s, when the winner will be announced, all dependent on Government guidance.  

Congratulations to the following students:

Central Scotland

Abby Hopes, studying BA Architecture at Glasgow School of Art (Mackintosh).  The judges said Abby is “exceptional, engaged, animated, she will make things happen. She is self-aware and objective with huge empathy for others - a rare attribute.”

Midlands

Madeleine Clarke, studying BSc Architectural Technology at Coventry University, whom the judges described as “An impressive candidate who is clearly passionate about the industry, her knowledge and understanding of the issues were exceptional.”

Jenny Townsend, studying Civil Engineering at Loughborough University.  The judges said Jenny was “So engaging and passionate, she gave a very professional presentation, with a persuasive, clear and competent manner."

North West

Josie-Mae Richards, studying Masters of Planning & Real Estate at the University of Manchester.  She was described as being “very friendly and personable, with an engaging delivery, genuine in her answers, showing passion and compassion…and so confident.”

Northern Scotland

Daniela Federer, studying BDes (Hons) Interior & Environmental Design at the University of Dundee.  The judges described Daniela as having “a very mature manner, she is talented and creative, communicated well and has a formidable set of skills, a very good candidate.”

South East

Chloe Swarbrick, studying Quantity Surveying Consultancy at Kingston University. The judges described Chloe as being “Very confident and impressive, showing a great mixture of technical knowledge and industry awareness and knowledge and with a calm and clear commercial understanding. A great candidate.”

Issey Wassell studying BA (Hons) Planning and Property Development at Oxford Brookes University.  Issey was described as giving a “…confident and interesting presentation, with good responses and visual imagery.  An outstanding candidate, with maturity, depth of answers and original thought.”

Paige Gough studying Construction Management (part-time) at Solent University.  The judges said Paige was “…very confident, respectful and engaged with the judges, giving an eloquent and engaging presentation.  She is knowledgeable about the wider industry and is passionate, enthusiastic and empathetic."

South Wales

Annabel Reed, studying Interior Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff School of Art & Design). The judges described Annabel as “having understanding and knowledge way ahead of her years.  She is very passionate about materials and the built environment and has the ability to talk freely and openly from the heart.”

South West

Charity Zawadi Mwambeyu studying Civil Engineering at the University of Bristol

The judges described her as “a real ‘go-getter’, giving fantastic responses to interview questions, she presented enthusiastically and passionately.  A personable, enthusiastic and engaging young woman.”

Elizabeth Rimmer, studying Landscape Architecture at Gloucestershire University

The judges described Elizabeth as “giving excellent, unique answers to the questions, she is a confident individual, with a strong self-awareness and a good sense of how to engage with people.” 

Yorkshire & North East

Sarah Bradshaw, studying Architecture at Huddersfield University, whom the judges described as being “…very knowledgeable, eager to educate and inform people, she really brought her personality into the presentation, which was very fluent in its delivery.”

Amy Bull, studying Structural Engineering and Architecture at the University of Sheffield. The judges said, “…Amy gave a great presentation, with an excellent introduction and explanation of the brief, she is quietly confident with a great knowledge of current topics.”