RICS awards acknowledge excellence

RICS' Mike Stevens (right) presents Bayleys national director commercial, John Church, with the award for Commercial Agency Team of the Year. Photo / Supplied

More than 200 leaders of the built environment profession gathered at the RICS Awards, hosted by at NZME earlier this week.

RICS is a global body which accredits 125,000 members, enforcing professional qualifications and standards in development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

Its annual awards, judged by an impartial panel of industry experts, this year received record entries from across the country. This year, Colliers International won more awards than any other organisation.

The RICS MD for Oceania, Stephen Albin, said a fast-growing property market had forced a major step change in performance of firms and professionals.

"These awards recognise outstanding individual contributions to the built environment. As a global business, RICS is responsible for raising standards in the built environment and these awards are a critical step in that process."

Lifetime award

Albin said the Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to Professor Deborah Levy from the University of Auckland, acknowledged her dedication to educating generations of property professionals.

"There is little doubt that Professor Levy has had a profound impact on the level of professionalism in the NZ market."

In handing her the award, John Cameron, managing director PPCS Professional Property Consultancy Services, noted that Levy arrived 31 years ago as a young Bachelor of Land Economy from the University of Aberdeen.

She was on a three-year contract to lecture in Property for the Bachelor of Property Administration at the University of Auckland.

"The industry owes an enormous debt to Deborah and her team who have 'fed' us with more than 2000 extremely well-educated and rounded property graduates.

These graduates probably exceed 2000 now serving our industry as true professionals," said Cameron.

Standards are up, says RICS Oceania MD Stephen Albin. Photo / Supplied

Young achiever

At the other end of the career cycle, Colliers' Chris Farhi received the RICS Young Achiever Award.

Judges said Farhi provided provided exemplary professional service to clients to working to foster support for the profession.

"Chris typifies all that embodies a future professional leader," said the judges report.

"Last year he was awarded the Colliers International Professional Services Shield by his peers and has also been the NZ Defence Force reservist of the year.

A part time lecturer at the University of Auckland Business School, Chris is also imparting his rapidly growing expertise and knowledge to future professionals."

Professionals of the year

The Property Professional of the Year Award went to JLL Property Professional, Dale Winfield.

Lifetime Achievement winner Deborah Levy with John Cameron. Photo / Supplied

"Dale leads the retail valuations team at JLL and was promoted in 2016 to a leadership role overseeing the wide valuation and advisory team, involving the day to day running of three offices," said the judges.

"While managing offices that were significantly involved with post-earthquake response, Dale was involved in almost every major retail transaction in New Zealand over the last five years.

The Construction Professional Award went to Anna Wallace: "Anna has been involved in the regeneration of the Wynyard Quarter," said judges.

"She displayed exemplary professionalism as noted by the seven client organisations that nominated her for this award. She ensured all stakeholders remained part of the project delivery process, while formulating necessary compromises to handle conflicting objectives.

Anna showed consistent firmness and calmness to ensure best for project outcomes were delivered."

Awards list:

Colliers Chris Farhi receives the Young Achiever of the Year Award from his colleague, Colliers national director of valuation Kane Sweetman. Photo / Supplied

• Building Surveying Team, Maynard Marks: "We were especially impressed with the focus of Maynard Marks on teamwork and training in relation to asbestos-related services."
• Commercial Agency Team, Bayleys: "A proud reputation as a commercial firm founded in family values, based in a corporate environment that demands integrity, excellence and results from staff."
• Facilities Management Team, Panuku Development: "Panuku Development's submission focused on their role with the Westhaven Marina project, where they had delivered clear value for this critical asset though an integrated team based approach.

Construction Professional of the Year Anna Wallace with RICS' Priya Kanagarajan. Photo / Supplied

• Industrial Team, Colliers: "Led by national director of industrial sales, Greg Goldfinch, the Colliers industrial team achieved its second biggest year of results and revenue in 2016 during its 20-plus year history."
• Project Management Team, Aecom: "The Aecom Christchurch team has grown quickly since its inception in 2013 to lead some of Christchurch's largest and most complex projects including the Metro Sports Facility and the New Central Library."
• Quantity Surveying Team, Aecom: "Aecom's quantity surveying team delivered a challenging and difficult project during complex earthquake related issues. The panel of judges particularly noted their attention to detail on a project fully occupied during construction."

JLL's Dale Winfield was Property Professional of the Year. Photo / Supplied

• Research & Consultancy Team, Buildcode: "Building Code Consultants Ltd in conjunction with Massey University Construction Programme and MWH Global - Stantec provided a winning submission based on their depth of knowledge and experience within their selected projects. BCCL has an interest in the under-recognised chronic health effects of the built environment."
• Retail Team, Colliers: "Colliers' real estate management team employs close to 100 staff and manages the largest shopping centre portfolio in New Zealand."
• Valuation Team, CBRE: "CBRE's Valuation and Advisory Services division is committed to providing cost effective, timely, commercially-based and technically-sound consultancy advice. Their award submission focused demonstrated a well thought through professional approach to the valuation of retirement/aged care portfolios."