PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AWARDS 2009 - THE WINNERS

LONDON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Chainbow 
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Granville
FINALISTS: Crabtree, AMAX Estates

Chainbow, founded by charismatic CEO and Chairman Roger Southam, entered residential block management in 2005 and now manages over 4000 units in 80 developments. The judges were looking for – amongst other things - evidence of quality of service, strategic vision and innovation in property management. Those companies that made it as finalists in this category all demonstrated a high standard of competence. The winner demonstrated a good strategic vision and impressed the judges with their 10 year maintenance programme and regular newsletter.     

REGIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Deacon
WINNER: Mainstay
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sanders Property Management LLP
FINALISTS: Encore Estates, Regalty Estates, Premier Estates
 
Mainstay, based in Worcester, are one of the fastest growing managing agents with over 450 blocks under their management. Here, the judges were looking for a managing agent outside London who could demonstrate among other things quality of service and effective building management. The winner of this award impressed the judges with their positive relationship with residents associations and particularly not allowing minorities to take precedent over the best interests of the wider community.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
WINNER:  CHC Land
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Preside, AMAX Estates, CARLEX
 
Newcomers CHC Land, based in Nottingham, took over One Fletcher Gate and transformed into a development where residents can be proud both of the fabric and quality of life of the building.
This award attracted a wide selection of entries who in their own way all inspired and encouraged the judges with their amazing impact on the industry in the short time they have been established.
The overall quality of the entries was such that the Judges decided to present a Highly Commended award to managing agents AMAX Estates and Preside as well as leasehold pressure group CARLEX. However, the ultimate winner of this award showed a great level of customer service - in particular their hotel card system and 24 hour personal helpline. The judges also commented that the way in which the winner made quite considerable savings for clients was exemplary.

PORTER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Isy Barrett
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Patrick Opoku and Pedro Louro 
FINALISTS: Anthony Coker and Red Houjabi

Isy Barrett is head of the team of porters and concierge at The Belvedere apartments in Cambridge and due to her success has since been featured in the media nationwide. In this category, the judges were looking for evidence of approachability, care and skill in job performance, response to leaseholders leads and any specific challenges that were met and overcome. The entries also had to be supported by the managing agent, residents association or individual leaseholder. Due to the high standard of entries in this category, the Judges also made two Highly Commended Awards to Patrick Opoku and Pedro Louro. The Judges remarked that the winner particularly impressed them with her personal attitude, commitment to social activities and even house calls for new tenants.

BLOCK INSURER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Deacon
FINALIST:  A-One Insurance
 
Over the last 20 years as a specialist in insuring blocks of flats, Deacon have maintained a high staff and customer retention promising to provide the highest level of cover for the lowest cost. This Award is for an extremely important element of building ownership and management and the judges were looking in particular for response to customer needs, quality of service and customer satisfaction. The judges were very impressed with the way the winner of this award responded to client feedback in order to improve their customer service.

CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR
WINNER: GOL Group
FINALIST: Adiuvo

Established in 1985, The GOL Group stand for reliability and quality in every aspect of residential property care. In this category, the judges were again looking for consistent service levels and customer satisfaction. The winner of this award showed great commitment to customer service and staff  development and in particular in the area of health and safety.

LONDON PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Noella Morton
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Karen Mitchell
FINALIST: Richard Carpenter

Noella Morton is the onsite property manager at art deco block Du Cane Court in Balham, London. She and her team of 20 staff are responsible for 676 apartments. In this category, the judges were looking for evidence of a measurable contribution to the success of the organisation/ good leadership skills in and outside the company, good relationships with leaseholders and expertise in property management. The winner of this award was described by the judges as a ‘very hands on’ property manager who impressed them by her 100% contribution to the building and strong leadership in times of crisis.

REGIONAL PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by SLC solicitors

WINNER: Ellen Box
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Maxine Fothergill
FINALISTS: Gordon Ferguson, Gillian Stanley, Karen Combellack

Ellen Box and her team of property managers, run over 1000 flats in approximately 115 blocks. There was an extremely notable selection of individuals who made it through as finalists in this category by showing to the judges their individual competence in residential building management. The overall winner of this award pipped the others to the post by impressing the judges with the way she managed Right to Manage applications and liaised with other agencies to solve issues with problem tenants.