Charity and social round-up

Cambridge Question Time is a step ahead The promise of strong coffee and a full-bodied debate lured the Cambridge property set, academics, and other business leaders to EG’s Cambridge Question Time last week. The early morning sustenance prompted a fine display of networking from the 250-strong crowd that had descended on the city’s labyrinthine, listed Guildhall. Noise levels grew as the confab gathered pace ahead of an expert debate that took in the audience’s suggested topics. Less than 24 hours later, the National Infrastructure Commission called for government ministers to fund rail and road infrastructure for the arc that covers the Cambridge-to-Oxford route. Cambridge Question Time setting the agenda? Always. Follow the Twitter feed at #EGQT Young surveyor drives his career forward Jonathan Manns, head of London planning at Colliers International, was presented with a new Volvo V40 D2 to drive for the next two years after winning top prize at the RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year awards. He beat 150 peers to win the car, courtesy of Santander Consumer Finance, having come through as winner of the Rural/Land category. Manns, 33, who became one of Colliers’ youngest directors in 2014, established the All Party Parliamentary Group for London’s Planning and Built Environment, he is an adviser to Channel 4’s Grand Designs, and has authored the book Kaleidoscope City. The awards night was held at Hilton London Bankside and was attended by 350 people. The following winners were also recognised: Nicola Dixon-Brown, Workman, Asset/Facilities Management. Kimberley Hepburn, TfL, Apprentice of the Year. Chris Payne, Faithful+Gould, Building Surveying. Tom Wallbank, Faithful+ Gould, Mentor of the Year. Eve Mallon, Faithful+Gould, Project Management. Ian Scott, Lambert Smith Hampton, Property Agency. Zoe King, Turner & Townsend, Quantity Surveying. Helena Tibbets, Fisher German, Valuation. BCO gathers to celebrate emerging talent “We need to embrace change and prepare for the future in terms of technology. We have to encourage new directions and visions and attract talented, diverse members.” So went the clarion call from architect Ken Shuttleworth to future stakeholders of the British Council of Offices at its NextGen Awards night, supported by EG. Designers, developers, architects and occupiers, all under the age of 35, heard the BCO president and Make Architects founder set out his vision as they gathered to celebrate the industry’s emerging talent. See all the award winners here Industry digs deep The property industry raised more than £40,000 for children’s charity Variety at the PROPS Breakfast. More than 250 guests met at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, W1, where PROPS co-founder Neil Sinclair and event co-chair Candice Sammeroff spoke of the charity’s work and support to help change the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children. Let the bells ring out Westminster Cathedral will once again host Landsec’s charity Christmas carol concert. The event on 14 December aids the Cardinal Hume Centre, which helps people overcome poverty and homelessness. There will be performances from Westminster Cathedral Choir and Victoria Children’s Choir, accompanied by the English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble. Readers include Cerys Matthews and Frank Skinner. Tickets are available here Beers and cheers The first EG Residential conference held outside London fell on the first day of Birmingham’s German market – the largest outside Germany. Panellists spoke about HS2, the plight of small builders, government building initiatives and technology in management.