EG awards: Innovation comes top for shortlist

Judges praised the “sheer professionalism” and “innovation” of the shortlisted candidates in this year’s EG Awards, and said they were encouraged that companies were taking a resistant market by the horns. The extolments come as the clock counts down to one of the property industry’s most prestigious nights on 13 December. Alistair Elliott, head of the commercial division at Knight Frank, said: “Considering that we have had another year where the economy and our market are being challenged, to say the least, I for one was very heartened with the level of entries.” Fellow judge Tony Horrell, chief executive of the UK and Ireland at Colliers International, applauded the bravery of property companies in these economic climes. “With the dry-up of easy finance in the marketplace, some organisations have gone off-piste to find new funding for their businesses, and that shows innovation.” David Atkins, Hammerson chief executive, added: “It was surprising and very significant that there were a number of companies saying this was their most profitable year, and against the backdrop we have economically, it is not only a testament to the industry but the hard work of the companies.” Of course, profits are best spent being philanthropic, and the glittering EG Awards night will provide many opportunities for attendees to show their charitable side. Between forkfuls of delectable food and swigs from the wine glass, there will be a sneaky game of heads and tails and a chance to deploy your best balloon-popping skills – for a donation. But the fun won’t be over until your best gambling talents are put to the test at the post-show mini casino, back by popular demand. The glittering night’s fundraising efforts will all be in aid of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which has been doing sterling work with young people for more than 50 years. But while Estates Gazette always encourages charitable giving, a couple of lucky awards-goers will also walk away with a prize including an iPad 3. Of course, that’s not as exciting as returning to the office clutching a trophy for, say, National Property Company of the Year, Property Adviser of the Year, or any of the 19 extra special awards up for grabs at this property night of nights, but hey, nearly everyone will be a winner. And if you doubt the levels of excitement to be had, take it from the judges, who spoke collectively of “high levels of activity in London” – or is that not what they were talking about?     EG Awards 2012 shortlist   Business launch of the year Myplacehas.com Swanvale Developments Tenant Assistance Program   Property adviser of the year – offices Cushman & Wakefield Drivers Jonas Deloitte Jones Lang LaSalle Knight Frank Savills   Property adviser of the year – retail Briant Champion Long Cushman & Wakefield GVA Jones Lang LaSalle Nash Bond   Property adviser of the year – leisure Christie + Co Colliers International Cushman & Wakefield The Coffer Group   Property adviser of the year – industrial and distribution Burbage Realty CBRE Colliers International Dowley Turner Real Estate GVA Jones Lang LaSalle   Property adviser of the year – residential CBRE Jones Lang LaSalle Knight Frank Savills   National property adviser of the year EA Shaw GVA Innes England Jones Lang LaSalle Knight Frank Savills   Property company of the year – offices British Land Land Securities Stoford Developments   Property company of the year – retail Land Securities The Crown Estate Westfield   Property company of the year – leisure Citygrove Legal & General Property Lifestyle Living Group Westfield Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants   Property company of the year – industrial and distribution Gazeley SEGRO   Property company of the year – residential Grainger Grosvenor Native Land   National property company of the year British Land Hammerson Henry Boot Developments Land Securities Miller Birch Developments SEGRO Stoford Developments The Crown Estate Wrenbridge   Young property professional of the year Christie + Co – Andreas Scriven Drivers Jonas Deloitte – Nigel Sellars Lambert Smith Hampton – Alex Carr Savills – Dominic Rodbourne SEGRO – Chris Caiulo   Investment manager of the year Aviva Investors AXA Real Estate CBRE Global Investors Henderson Global Investors Legal & General Property   Occupier of the year Amazon Aon B&M BBC Google HSBC Primark     To book a ticket go to www.egawardsevent.co.uk