Partner Article

Record entry for property ?Oscars'

The organisers of the North East’s ‘Property Oscars’ are celebrating a record number of entries to this year’s awards.

A total of 74 projects were put forward into the 2009 Renaissance Awards, at which the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) plan to reward excellence in the North East property and construction sector.

Judging of the entries is now under way with the winners to be announced at a ceremony on Friday 24 April, at Newcastle’s Civic Centre.

Chairman of the judges David Furniss, who is also Head of Atisreal’s Newcastle Office, said: “The number of entries we’ve received this year was certainly beyond our expectations given the present market conditions and is a clear demonstration of the excellent work that is continuing in the North East.”

The judging panel for the Renaissance Awards is made up of property professionals, including chartered surveyors, who consider all aspects of the buildings and projects entered, from design and planning, to construction and the look and feel of the finished product.

There has been an unusually high number of entries into the Community Benefit category, sponsored by Vantis plc, the AIM-listed UK top 13 accounting, tax and business recovery and advisory group.

Ian Kelly, client partner based at the company’s Middlesbrough office, said: “We are proud to sponsor this category which recognises that a building is much more than just bricks and mortar. It can have a measurable impact on a community, enriching the lives of others, giving people purpose, direction and a sense of value.

“Successful community projects can regenerate an area, be inspirational and create endless possibilities for both the young and old.”

Other organisations sponsoring the Renaissance Awards are Carillion, Northumbria University School of the Built Environment and RB Group.

For more information about the awards, including a full list of categories, contact RICS North East Events Coordinator Sue Doberman on 0191 221 0359 or email sdoberman@rics.org.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .