Big day at the races
The Ireland spin-off event to the popular UK Property Race Day was held last week, with a huge fundraising total signalling that the good times are back.
The pavilion at Leopardstown Racecourse was packed with 370 of Ireland’s biggest agents, funders and developers, who collectively raised more than €100,000 (£71,000) for charity, doubling the amount raised at last year’s inaugural event.
Those lucky enough to secure a ticket – there was a waiting list for tables – were treated to a full entertainment package.
The event was hosted by TV personality Kathryn Thomas and an auction with lots including tickets to hear opera singer Andrea Bocelli, dinner at Dublin restaurant Asador, and a Prague city break, was hosted by Paul Grimes of REA Grimes.
Proceeds, including contributions from sponsors Cornerstone, CBRE and Bank of Ireland, went to the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, the Hope Foundation and NMH Foundation.
A decade of women
The Café Royal, W1, played host to generations of property women – and a smattering of gents – celebrating 10 years of the CBRE Women’s Network.
Executive director Sue Clayton, who captains the network, described to the gathering how the vision to recruit more women into property had been realised. “We have seen a seismic shift in attitudes and diversity over the past decade and the prospects for women in property over the next 10 years look incredibly bright,” she said.
A host of leading female industry figures attended, including RBS’s Helen Gordon, who will take over as Grainger chief executive in January, AXA Real Estate’s Anne Kavanagh, former RICS president Louise Brooke-Smith and Crown Estate chief executive Alison Nimmo.
Having a ball
Thrilling ping-pong action played out at a networking event run by Young Surveyors in Property. The promise of personalised bats and glow-in-the-dark balls proved worth sweating for as scores of young professionals displayed Olympic-standard prowess at Bounce in Holborn, EC1.
Iceni Projects were crowned ping-pong kings, with Thackray Williams runners up.
Everyone loves a trier
Colliers International chief executive Tony Horrell swapped suit and tie for active wear and joined a charge of 180 property professionals at the firm’s annual Tryathlon.
Competitors descended on Tockington Manor School in Bristol to challenge their fitness with a 400m swim, 16km cycle and 5km run, either individually or in a relay.
Tim Davies, head of the firm’s Bristol office, completed all three legs, while Howell ran as part of a team.
The fastest man was Iain Hissett of Hydrock with a time of 55 mins 22 secs. Jo Crofts of Knight Frank was the fastest woman, completing the course in 1 hr 4 mins 32 secs. WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff won the team category.
All proceeds from the event went to the charity Sustrans.
Innes England hits the £10,000 mark
A 75-mile cycling challenge has tipped Innes England’s fundraising total for Cancer Research UK this year past £10,000. Fifteen surveyors took to the saddle to ride from Nottingham to Skegness in a four-hour slog, the latest in a series of fundraising events including an Easter dress-down, a squash tournament and a muddy 5km run. Top up their total at www.justgiving.com/Innes-England
Sign of the times
A sign belonging to one of London’s most famous pubs has been put up for auction by F&C REIT.
The memorabilia, from the Pontefract Castle pub in Wigmore Street, W1, will be the second and final sign to be auctioned as part of a month-long fundraising spree for the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity One Great Day.
The auction is being run by Acuitus and bids can be made at http://acuitus.eigonlineauctions.com/lot/details/888. Bidding closes on 10 July.
Surveyors head up to the Downs
A 100-mile endurance cycling event that took three Savills surveyors off-road for two days has raised £7,500 for the Above & Beyond charity, which improves hospitals and research in Bristol.
Bristol agents Chris O’Mahony, Paddy Hales and Rob Palmer set off from Winchester in Hampshire to follow the South Downs Way and finish in Eastbourne, East Sussex.
O’Mahony organised the ride after being treated in Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Calendar of events
BPF Summer Reception
When: 7 July
Where: Corinthia London, Whitehall Place, SW1
What: The industry will bid farewell to current British Property Federation president Bill Hughes and welcome
a new junior vice-president into the team, succeeding SEGRO’s David Sleath, at this strictly invitation-only event. www.bpf.org.uk/events/bpf-summer-reception
RICS Matrics – Glasgow & West annual pub quiz
When: 9 July
Where: Kudos Bar, 29 Waterloo Street, Glasgow
What: Get quizzical and network with a free drink on arrival and post-trivia buffet. Teams are allocated on the night. www.rics.org
Property Race Day
When: 10 July
Where: Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire
What: Property comes together at the races to raise money for children’s charities. www.thepropertyraceday.co.uk
JLL Property 5km
When: 27 August, 6pm
Where: Regent’s Park, NW1
What: Register now and limber up for this popular industry running event in aid of Starlight. Entry costs £15. www.property5k.com
Inaugural Cycle To Club Peloton Gala Dinner
When: 16 September
Where: Lee Valley Velopark, Olympic Park, E20
What: Cycle To, the organisation that has over the past decade built up a community of keen cyclists and sponsors, affectionately known as Club Peloton, through its Cycle To MIPIM ride, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The event will mark the launch of a book charting the journey of Cycle To and see teams of property cyclists race on the Olympic track. Tables of 10 cost £1,500+VAT; individual tickets are priced £165+VAT. www.race-nation.com/cycle- to-club-peloton-gala-dinner-2015
Buccleuch Property Challenge
When: 24 September
Where: Drumlanrig Castle, Queensberry Estate, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
What: Industry die-hards from Scotland and beyond are invited to sign up for six hours of non-stop adventure, designed to test their fitness and mental agility. It’s team- building at its extreme, in a magical setting, and a great networking opportunity. Plus, the hog roast is legendary. Cost is £500+VAT for a team of three. www.buccleuchproperty.com
IPF Jaguar facility tour
When: 30 September, 8.30am and 12.30pm
Where: Solihull Jaguar production facility, West Midlands
What: A unique outing for IPF Midlands members and their guests. Places cost £25+VAT for members/£40+VAT non-members, including catering. www.ipf.org.uk
Expo Real
When: 5-7 October
Where: New Munich Trade Fair Centre
What: With 1,653 exhibitors and 74 countries represented, the place to size up sound investment markets and make valuable connections. www.exporeal.net
rebecca.kent@estatesgazette.com
