OxPropFest is back!

Keble College

Thursday 12th September 2024

Bringing the property, science and innovation community from across Oxfordshire and The Arc for one very special day of networking, knowledge sharing and celebration.

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Dame Katherine Grainger

Key Note Speaker and Moderator

Katherine is the first British woman to win medals at five successive Olympic Games including a gold medal at London 2012.  She represented Team GB in rowing at the Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London and Rio Games winning 6 World Championship titles.  After finishing representing Team GB in 2016, Katherine was appointed the Chair of UK Sport in 2017. In March 2015, Katherine was inaugurated as Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University and in 2020 she became the Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, the first female to be appointed to the role. She works with various charities and sporting bodies.

OxPropFest Partners 2024

OxPropFest will include a Walk in the afternoon of the 12th September (last year we were on an open-top bus and this year we will probably return to Oxford) and Awards programme in the evening at Keble College, following the same successful format as 2023.

If you’d like to become a sponsor or have questions about attending, we can be contacted on 0203 478 7340 or  info@ukpropertyforums.com

OXPROPFEST PARTNERS 2024

AWARD PARTNERS

VENUE / CATERING PARTNER

WALKS PARTNER

CHARITY PARTNER

CHARITY PARTNER

HOTEL PARTNER

OxPropFest Judges 2024

As in previous years we take the selection of judges and the judging process very seriously. Changes are made on a yearly basis to the panel and accountability expected from the judging process when selecting the winners and runners up.

Damon Ball

Damon Ball

A'Bear & Ball

Sarah Haywood

Sarah Haywood

Advanced Oxford

Nigel Tipple

Nigel Tipple

OxLEP

Matthew Battle

Matthew Battle

UK Property Forums

Adrian James

Adrian James

Adrian James Architects

Richard Todd

Richard Todd

Bidwells

Hugh Blaza

Hugh Blaza

UK Property Forums

Dr Jayne Manley

Dr Jayne Manley

Earth Trust

Liv Thomas

Liv Thomas

Savills

Izzie Diment

Izzie Diment

Paul Basham Associates

Steven Sensecall

Steven Sensecall

Carter Jonas

Harriet Waters

Harriet Waters

University of Oxford

Celebrating the value of property across Oxfordshire

WALKS

See the City of Oxford at street level and view the changing property and architectural vernacular as it strives to become one of the most innovative and progressive regions in northern Europe.

FULL PROGRAMME

AWARDS

Returning to Keble College as our venue in 2024, these awards are now in their 6th year and categories are designed to reflect the diversity of the region. A wonderful occasion to celebrate with colleagues.

FULL PROGRAMME

THE OXPROPFEST 2024 AWARDS PROGRAMME

  • Friday 1st March Submissions will OPEN!!
  • Friday 31st May Submissions will CLOSE!!
  • Monday 24th June Shortlist published in The Forum and Thames Tap
  • Thursday 12th September OxPropFest Awards Evening

Launched in 2018, OxPropFest is an annual Black Tie Dinner awards dinner held at Keble College in Oxford. The venue can seat 308 people for the dinner and we have been lucky enough to be sold out usually a few months each year. The cost of each ticket includes a reception drink upon arrival, three course meal, and of course access to the College Bar afterwards for ‘quality’ networking. We are confident that OxPropFest has become one of the largest property dinners outside London and has had many excellent reviews from attendees. We do hope that you can join us this year!

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

In the design and implementation of the awards, we will strive to reduce the carbon footprint of this event wherever possible. For example, the decision on the location of the venue is near public transport stations as possible in central Oxford, the use of digital ticketing in all aspects of event management which limits the use of paper, the provenance of the food served which comes where possible from Oxfordshire and finally the design of the awards, which are made of recycled and sustainable materials (bamboo). Please do come back to us with any other ideas as we are always open to suggestions.

For OxPropFest Awards & Dinner bookings – BOOK HERE.

AWARDS FORMAT

Celebrating success is an important part of business life and the
giving of awards is a simple
but effective way of saying – well done! 

Since its inception in 2018, OxPropFest has developed an awards programme that is tailored to the Oxfordshire property market and reflects the wishes of our key stakeholders, which is to have a quality event that rivals ‘Grosvenor House London’ style awards but provides delegates (crucial point of difference) with an opportunity to network with colleagues. After all, being social is a key part of the property world.

Judges will aim to cut the list to a maximum of four companies for each award which ensures that attendees have a reasonable expectation on the evening of the awards. The Judges are ‘refreshed’ on an annual basis to ensure that there is a degree of change on the panel and that different views are heard. As a rule, we invite the Leader of the Year and NextGen winners to join the judging panel for OxPropFest on a three-year cycle. Finally, where conflict of interest occurs, Judges are removed from the judging process, and neutrality is preserved.

SUBMIT ENTRY

Award Criteria

The Judges will be looking for submissions that cover the 12 months of 2023, 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

  • Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility particularly contribution to climate change / net-zero, biodiversity, green space and the impact the submission has on society and/or the environment
  • Submitting companies do NOT have to have an office in Oxfordshire but projects submitted, do have to be located in Oxfordshire
  • 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
Winners from 2023

The full list of winners:

Matt Batt Award
Debbie Dance, Oxford Preservation Society

Best Consultant Team sponsored by Milton Park
Winner – Ridge
Highly Commended – DevComms

Best Architect sponsored by ARC
Winner – Hawkins\Brown

Best Contractor sponsored by Oxford Technology Park
Winner – Kingerlee

Deal of the Year sponsored by Bicester Arc
Winner – Oxford Technology Park
Highly commended – VSL sale to CBRE

Best Commercial Project sponsored by Freeths
Winner – Swailes SuperLab, Oxford
Highly commended – IDRM, Oxford

Best Residential Development sponsored by DevComms
Large Scheme
Winner – Park View, Woodstock
Small Scheme (fewer than 10 units)
Winner – Zion’s Hill, Woodstock

Best Low Carbon Building sponsored by Bidwells
Winner – Wolfson College, Oxford
Highly commended – IDRM, Oxford

Project of the Year sponsored by Mills & Reeve
Winner – Cheng Yu Tung Building Jesus College, Oxford
Highly commended – The Dutch Barn, Botley

NextGen Award sponsored by Oxford North
Joint winner – Izzie Diment, Paul Basham Associates
Joint winner – Liv Thomas, Savills

The County Award
Moderna deal at ARC Harwell Campus

Team of the Year sponsored by OxLEP
OXPlace

Leader of the Year sponsored by Morgan Sindall
Harriet Waters, University of Oxford

Winners from 2022

Matt Batt Award
Olivia Lane-North, Spacecraft Consulting
Dave Beesley, The Oxford Furniture Company

Best Law Firm
Mills & Reeve

Best Property Advisor
VSL now CBRE

Best Planning Advisor
Edgars

Best Architect
Purcell UK

Best Contractor
Beard Construction

Best Residential Development (Small Scheme)
327 Woodstock Road, Oxford

Best Residential Development
Heyford Park, Bicester

Best Commercial Development
Bee House, Milton Park

Best Innovative Initiative of the Year
FarmED, Shipton-upon-Wychwood

Project of the Year
The Wing, Henley-on-Thames

Young Person of the Year
Rachel Woodman, Bidwells
Damon Ball, A’Bear+Bell Architects

Property Leader of the Year
Leader – Steven Sensecall, Carter Jonas
Team – OxLEP

Award for Deal of the Year

Sponsored by:

About this award:
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 Oxfordshire estate market. Submissions could come from the real estate, architectural and construction sectors and could cover a merger, acquisition, property sale or the winning of a major contract. All submissions should reflect the scope and depth of your successes in Oxfordshire, using references from clients and other supporting evidence to help provide support information for the Judges.

SUBMIT ENTRY

Award for Best Planning Advisor

Sponsored by:

About this award:
The volume of planning activity across Oxfordshire continues to be very high. As new developments start to be planned, developers are increasingly turning to planning consultants for expert advice and guidance. Reflecting this increased activity, planning consultants need to demonstrate in their submissions for this award an ability to respond to the client brief, agreed process to achieve planning permission and where possible, feedback from their client post submission. Having an office in Oxfordshire is not essential for this award. Documentation needs to include information about the business and examples of past planning applications as evidence of success. Having an office in the East of England is not essential to win this award.

SUBMIT ENTRY

Award for Best Architect or Landscape Architect or Interior Designer

Sponsored by: 

About this award:
The need for quality architecture across Oxfordshire 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, macth 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 Oxfordshire but the projects submitted do need to be located to be in the region.

SUBMIT ENTRY

Award for Best Contractor

Sponsored by:  TBC

About this award:
Construction companies (submissions from New Build, Trad or D&B companies will be welcomed) are very busy across Oxfordshire delivering new houses, educational, commercial, industrial and retail projects. This award recognises all types and sizes of contractors with both large and small turnover working across the region. Judges will be looking for evidence of successfully completed projects over the past 12 months, positive feedback from clients/consultants and their supply chain partners. Attaching references from clients and other supporting evidence will always help the judges in their deliberations. Submitting companies do not have to have an office in Oxfordshire but the projects submitted do need to be in the county. Documentation needs to include information about the business and examples of past projects as evidence of success.

SUBMIT ENTRY

Award for Best Responsible Employer of the Year – New Award

Sponsored by:  TBC

About this award:
New for 2024, we would like to receive submissions from a Company / Consultant / Project Team that can demonstrate how successful it has been in the delivery of a successful responsible business strategy. Measurables could include how your business incorporates your approach to the innovation process, adoption of social responsibility, engagement in the local community, approach to the environment, governance or maybe 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

Award for Best Residential Development

Sponsored by:   

About this award:
New housing is an important part of Oxfordshire 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 Oxfordshire 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 completed over the past 12 months and could include designs for Garden Towns, Urban Villages.  individual homes or small estates. In the past we have split this category into two, large (10 or more home developments) and small (individual and under 10 houses developments. 

Note that in 2022 and 20203, the Judges split this category into two – large (10 or more home developments) and small (individual and under 10 houses developments.  

SUBMIT ENTRY

Award for Best Commercial Project

Sponsored by: 

About this award:
Industrial, science, education and office development activity across the whole of Oxfordshire has been strong over the past 12 months. This award encourages submissions from developers, educational providers and investors 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 Oxfordshire. Attaching references from clients and other supporting evidence will always help the Judges in their deliberations.​

SUBMIT ENTRY

Award for Best Low Carbon Project

Sponsored by:   

About this award:
The drive towards zero carbon is now part of all project briefs in Oxfordshire. Reflecting the very real changes that are happening in our world, the built environment in Oxfordshire needs to reflect these pressures in the approach to new developments, design of buildings and the whole project process. Submissions need to showcase a clear strategy for the successful implementation of a zero-carbon strategy which can measurable the net benefits to the environment. This award could also be entered in one of the other categories such as Project of the Year and note from the Judges, they are sympathetic to the challenges of Zero Carbon in Legacy Cities such as Oxford when delivering Low Carbon solutions.

SUBMIT ENTRY

Award for Project of the Year

Sponsored by:

About this award:
A special award for a special project. Entries for this award will showcase Oxfordshire’s finest buildings which answer the client’s brief and are not only inspirational for the users but the surrounding community. It can include new build projects as well as refurbishments that have been constructed to a high-level of finish, design and meet the many challenges when building in today’s environment. Entries can come from across all sectors including the office, educational, residential, retail and tourism 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

NextGen Award

​Sponsored by: 

About this award:
A celebration of a person under 35 years of age, who has shown leadership and is an inspiration to others around them. 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. This could include graduates, apprentices and junior members of the team who have recently joined the company and at the discretion of the judges, a split in the category depending on the quality of the awards to reflect an award for recent graduates as well as more mature employees who have joined the business.

SUBMIT ENTRY

Award for Property Leader / Team of the Year

Sponsored by:  

About this award:
Nominations are encouraged from across the property sector from individuals, or teams, who have been integral to the success of the Oxfordshire property market over a period of time and have not just been a one-hit-wonder, so to speak. They must be able to demonstrate not only personal success in their business but also show evidence of helping to fulfil the goals and aspirations of their colleagues. When submitting a Team for the award, we will be looking for a team effort beyond the call of the normal working day, especially relevant over the past difficult 12 months. For this award, a list of submissions will be generated to the Judges and the winner will be announced in the final presentation of the evening by the joint chair of the judges, Nigel Tipple and Matthew Battle.​

SUBMIT ENTRY

OXPROPFEST AWARDS & DINNER

 

6.15pm - Champagne Reception

Sponsored by:  TBC

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

7.15pm - OxPropFest Awards & Dinner

For the OxPropFest Awards, our moderator Dame Katherine Grainger will present the awards to the winning companies and individuals.

10pm - Bar
 
Why not join us for a celebration!
 
11pm - Close and Carriages

Carriages await as the event closes.

Bed and Breakfast at Keble College

Book direct via their website for a single/double ensuite room. 

The Location – OxPropFest

Keble College
Parks Road
Oxford
OX1 3PG

Website: Keble College

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