Welcome to EastProp Awards

The Judges will be looking for submissions that cover the 12 months of 2025, however, they can cover a longer time frame if the project’s gestation period has been more than 12 months. Where possible, site visits from the Judges will take place and full Terms & Conditions are listed on the submission form.

CORE CRITERIA EXPECTED ON ALL SUBMISSIONS BY THE JUDGES

• Submitting companies do NOT have to have an office in the East of England but projects submitted, do have to be in the six specified counties (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk)
• Active and demonstrable inclusion, diversity, community engagement and collaboration will always be encouraged
• Submissions on two sides A4 (min. font size Arial 10) however up to 10 photos can be submitted either via WeTransfer or equivalent
• Videos can be submitted as additional information but should be no more than 2 minutes long to support the written submissions.
• Terms & Conditions Apply – Submissions cannot be returned, and the Judge’s decision is final. Any issues please contact info@ukpropertyforums.com

Sponsored by:  TBC

As the first award on the evening, this category will showcase a deal, transaction or agreement which has changed the course of your business during the past 12 months and would be seen as a barometer of success by your peers across the East of England real estate market. Submissions could come from the across the real estate sectors and could cover a major transaction or merger, acquisition, property sale or the winning of a major contract. All submissions should reflect the scope and depth of your successes in the East of England, using references from clients and other supporting evidence to help provide support information for the Judges.

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by: TBC

The need for quality architecture across the East of England has never had such a high profile. Driven by client expectations and the rigours of the planning process, architects have had to absorb the many challenges thrown at them and produce buildings which not only respect the local vernacular, match the expectations of the planners and of course, client approval. Judges will be looking for architects who can demonstrate a credible track record in the region over a period which will inevitably be spread over a period of years. Documentation needs to include information about the business and examples of past projects as evidence of success. Submitting companies do not have to have an office in the East of England but the projects submitted do need to be located to be in the region.

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by: TBC

After the success of 2024, we would like to receive submissions from a Company / Consultant / Project Team that can demonstrate how it has become a responsible employer or project and the benefits this has delivered to the business.  Measurables could include your approach to innovation, social value, local community engagement, environment credentials, employee engagement backed up by feedback from clients or your supply chain on your approach to responsible business. The Judges will take into consideration all these criteria and decide on which company should be recognised by its peers as best in class.

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by: TBC

New housing is such an important part of the East of England vision. This award recognises a housing development (or developer) that manages to achieve the proverbial holy grail of matching the needs of the planners, the local community and help to fulfil the needs of the East of England housing plans. Submissions need to showcase an approach to quality design, placemaking, sustainability, ESG agenda and use of materials. To be accepted, the project must have been completed, or a phase recently completed and could include plans for Garden Towns, Urban Villages, individual homes or small estates. NB In the past we have split this category into two, large (10 or more home developments) and small (individual and under 10 houses developments).

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by: TBC

Industrial, science, education and office development activity across the whole of the East of England has been strong since early 2024. This award encourages submissions from development teams who have been involved with new projects in these sectors and can demonstrate that the buildings have matched the client’s brief and are part of the Local Plan to generate new income for the East of England. Attaching references from clients and other supporting evidence will always help the judges in their deliberations along with supp​orting information about the company submitting.

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by:  TBC

Education and learning are a key part of the DNA in Cambridge and the East of England. Therefore, investment in the built environment and real estate is an essential part of the built environment across the region. Judges will be looking for projects which can demonstrate not only inspirational interiors to inspire students but also exterior design which is adds to the local environment. Documentation needs to include information about the business and examples of past projects as evidence of success. Submitting companies do not have to have an office in the East of England but the projects submitted do need to be located to be in the region.

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by:  TBC

The drive towards the design of low carbon buildings is an integral part of all development briefs across the East of England. Developers, building owners and their design teams need to reflect the demands of low carbon and sustainable design in their projects such as the approach to the design but also the materials used. Proposals for this category need to showcase a strategy and delivery plan to achieve a low carbon and sustainable project which is measurable in respect of benefits to the environment and potentially will have accreditation from industry bodies. NB This award could also be entered in one of the other categories and the Judges are sympathetic to the challenges that the pursuit of zero carbon has in Legacy Cities such as Cambridge.

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by: TBC

Most of the projects which are submitted for East Prop Awards are completed or handed over however many projects are still (stuck?) in the planning process or at a pre-application stage. Judges will be looking for projects which can demonstrate a clear appreciation of the site, inspirational design or will be of scale creating a positive affect for the environment by its scale. Documentation needs to include information about the business and examples of past projects as evidence of success. Submitting companies do not have to have an office in the East of England but the projects submitted do need to be located to be in the region.

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by: TBC

A special award for a special project. Entries for this award will showcase the East of England finest new quality buildings which answer the client’s brief, and which become inspirational for the users and the wider community. Alternatively, it could include a new build project which has been constructed to a high-level of finish, design, procurement and with strong sustainable credentials. Entries can come from across all sectors including the office, educational, residential and retail sectors, which have all been past winners of this award. At the discretion of the judges, entries may also be submitted from other categories for this award.

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by:  TBC

New for 2025, The Apprentice of the Year Award celebrates the outstanding achievements of those of their higher-level apprenticeships. This award recognises candidates who have demonstrated excellence and have had a significant impact on their industry. These apprentices excel in their technical abilities and show the initiative to innovate and make a difference, all while successfully balancing the demands of their apprenticeship with full-time work. Working closely with Anglia Ruskin University, we agreed on some basic criteria: entry should be completed in conjunction with the employer or training provider and the student must have enrolled by September 2024. Submissions must include training details, examples of completed work, references, and testimonials and submitted on paper with photos to accompany the proposal.

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by:  TBC

A celebration of a person under 35 years of age, who has shown leadership and is an inspiration to others around them. Working with members from NextGenEast and companies across the East of England, submissions need to demonstrate, not only how the individual has become an integral part of the business, but also how they have shown responsibility beyond their age. Examples of successful project delivery may include evidence of success from their ‘clients’ in the form of references and case studies. Depending on the range of submissions for this award; Judges may split to ensure that there is a fair comparison of skills.

Submit entry via online form

Sponsored by:  TBC

The Judges will decide on a shortlist from all the project submissions for the attendees to vote on the winner. Using Slido, which we successfully achieved last years the EastPropAwards, we will use the platform to select the Best of the Best 2025 and present an award on the evening.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Deal of the Year sponsored by Churchmanor Estates
Winner – Letting of the Optic to Arm at Peterhouse Tech Park, Cambridge (submitted by Bidwells)
Highly Commended – Development proposal for Panshanger (DeHavilland Park),  Hertfordshire (submitted by Savills)

Architect of the Year sponsored by DevComms
Winner – Twenty-Nine Architecture

Responsible Employer of the Year sponsored by Horta Properties
Winner – Tees Law

Housing Development of the Year sponsored by Bidwells
Winner – Shelford Road, Cambridge
Highly Commended – Flint Hall Barns, Royston

Commercial Project of the Year sponsored by Savills
Winner – Suffolk Business Park (Plot 400), Bury St Edmunds

Educational Project of the Year sponsored by Carter Jonas
Winner – Northstowe Learning Community, Northstowe
Highly Commended – Cambridge Science Centre, Cambridge

Low Carbon Project of the Year sponsored by Tees Law
Winner – 10 Station Road, Cambridge

Future Project of the Year sponsored by Land Aid
Winner – East Barnwell Project, Cambridge
Highly Commended – Norwich Research Park (GB1), Norwich

Project of the Year sponsored by Mills & Reeve
Winner – The Perse School Sports Centre, Cambridge

Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Anglia Ruskin University
Winner – Ellen Ward, RG Carter

NextGen of the Year sponsored by Handelsbanken
Joint Winners – Jack Smith, KMC Transport Planning and Rebecca Mothersole, Bidwells

Leader of the Year sponsored by UK Property Forums
Winner – Ellie Varley, RG Carter

Check out our gallery from the evening here.

Images by alanglais.com

The full list of winners:

MattBatt Award – The People’s Vote (sponsored by UKPF)
Oakhill Bereavement Crematorium, Welwyn

Deal of the Year (sponsored by Churchmanor)
Winner – One Cambridge Square, Cambridge, submitted by Bidwells
Highly Commended – Unity Campus, Sawston, submitted by Mills & Reeve

Architect of the Year (sponsored by DevComms)
Winner – Chaplin Farrant
Highly Commended – Saunders Boston Architects

Responsible Employer of the Year (sponsored by Tees)
Winner – Saunders Boston Architects
Highly Commended – RG Carter

Residential Development of the Year (sponsored by Savills)
Winner – Ironworks, Mill Road, Cambridge
Highly Commended – Yusuf Hamied Court – Christ’s College, Cambridge

Commercial Project of the Year (sponsored by Grovemere Property)
Winner – Unity Campus, Sawston
Highly Commended – 20 Station Road, Cambridge
Highly Commended – Ben’s Yard, Stuntney

Educational Project of the Year (sponsored by Land Aid)
Winner – The Valley School SEN, Stevenage
Highly Commended – Heltwate SEN School, Peterborough

Low Carbon Project of the Year (sponsored by Lanpro Services)
Winner – Building Hangar 84/85, Cranfield University
Highly Commended – Hope Street Yard, Cambridge

Future Project of the Year (sponsored by Eastern Echo)
Winner – Waterbeach Barracks, Cambridge
Highly Commended – Alchemy Campus, Fowlmere

Project of the Year (sponsored by Mills & Reeve)
Winner – Yusuf Hamied Court – Christ’s College, Cambridge
Highly Commended – 20 Station Road, Cambridge
Highly Commended – Oakhill Bereavement Crematorium, Welwyn

NextGen (Under 35) of the Year (sponsored by Horta Properties)
Winner – Jonah Balmford, TSA Riley
Highly Commended – Giuliana Borg, Saunders Boston Architects
Highly Commended – Leah Tompkins, DevComms

Team of the Year (sponsored by Handelsbanken)
Winner – DevComms
Highly Commended – KMC Transport Planning

Leader of the Year (sponsored by Handelsbanken)
Winner – Robin Butler, managing director, Urban & Civic plc

See a gallery of the event here.

Images by alanglais.com

The full list of winners:

Award for Best Law Firm (sponsored by Carter Jonas)
Winner – Mills & Reeve
Highly commended – HCR Hewitsons

Award for Best Planning Advisor (sponsored by Eastern Echo)
Winner – Bidwells
Highly commended – Lanpro Services

Award for Best Architect or Landscape Architect (sponsored by Horta Properties)
Winner – Saunders Boston Architects
Highly commended – Chaplin Farrant

Award for Best Contractor (sponsored by LandAid)
Winner – Morgan Sindall
Highly commended – Barnes Construction

Award for Deal of the Year (sponsored by DevComms)
Winner – Jaynic for The Range pre-sale at Gateway 14
Highly commended – Bidwells for Brooklands, Cambridge

Award for Best Residential Development / Developer (sponsored by Savills)
Winner – More’s Meadow, Cambridge
Highly commended – Laureate Fields, Felixstowe

Award for Best Commercial Project (sponsored by Churchmanor Estates)
Winner – CMR Surgical Manufacturing Facility, Ely
Highly commended – 30 Station Road, Cambridge

Award for Project of the Year (sponsored by Mills & Reeve)
Winner – The Nest, Norwich
Highly commended – Dojima Brewery Sake Store, Ely

NextGen Award (sponsored by Lanpro)
Winner – Joe Last, Savills
Highly commended – Charlie Clark, Carter Jonas

Team of the Year (sponsored by Pigeon)
Winner (small team) – Carter Jonas Cambridge Lettings Team
Winner (large team) – Stantec / Barton Willmore

Property Leader of the Year (sponsored by Pigeon)
Sven Töpel, chief executive of Brookgate

A gallery of the evening can be viewed here.

Images by alanglais.com

In the inaugural of the Eastern Echo Awards we had 30+ award submissions reflecting the rich diversity of projects completed across the region in 2021.

• Matt Batt Award – New Dining Hall, Homerton College
• Best Law Firm – Mills & Reeve
• Best Property Advisor – Bidwells
• Best Planning Advisor – Carter Jonas
• Best Architect – Saunders Boston Architects
• Best Contractor – RG Carter
• Best Commercial Development – Stane Park, Colchester
• Best Residential Development – Great Kneighton, Cambridge
• Project of the Year – Broadland Gate, Norwich
• Young Person of the Year – Will Fayers, Paul Basham Associates / Jodie Welch, Stantec
• Property Leader of the Year – Andy Hill, Hill Group

An excellent opportunity to meet fellow guests, potential award winners with a welcome drink and start to feel the atmosphere for the awards evening on the Terrace of Homerton College.

Carriages await as the event closes.

Book direct via their website for a single/double ensuite room. Use event code (TBC)