Yorkshire Post Newspapers’ first ever property “Oscars” were an enormous success. Sharon Dale reports on the event and the winners…
The outstanding performance of the region’s property industry was celebrated with a glittering gala dinner and a series of prestigious awards.
Yorkshire’s Finest Property Awards, organised by Yorkshire Post Newspapers, recognised the wealth and success brought to the region on the back of those involved in bricks and mortar.
It was a big event in every way, with over 600 guests gathering at the Elland Road on Friday night, for a ceremony staged in association with Anglo Irish Bank.
There were 16 awards for everyone from estate agents to developers and architects.
Categories encompassed residential and commercial developments, regeneration and eco-friendly features and celebrated the individual talent of Yorkshire’s property people.
Linda Barker, TV personality and interior designer, who grew up in Bradford, was guest presenter for the evening.
Linda, who is an ambassador for Bradford, and who is helping design Leeds first key worker village, said: “It was a fantastic event and it rewarded the efforts of those who have helped transform Yorkshire over the past few years.
“I was especially delighted to see the high standard of design and environmental considerations encompassed by the awards.”
Estate agencies Beadnall Copley and Dacre, Son and Hartley had double reasons to celebrate.
They each picked up two awards. Beadnall Copley won Best Marketing Campaign for a property between £250,000 and £750,000 and best campaign for a property over £750,000.
Dacre, Son and Hartley also beat stiff competition to win the Best Estate Agent Website (national or regional) and Best Marketing campaign for a property up to £250,000.
Urban Splash added to their enormous awards collection by winning Best Regeneration of an Existing Building for Lister Mills, Bradford.
Developer Kevin Linfoot won the Lifetime Contribution to the Property Industry award.
Mr Linfoot, founder and chairman of KW Linfoot, built his multi-million pound business from scratch, despite suffering from a rare form of dyslexia that severely impairs his ability to read and write.
His memory and aptitude for numbers coupled with entrepreneurial drive and ambition, have helped him become a major independent player in the property industry.
He helped pioneer city living in Leeds and is responsible for about 40 per cent of the apartments there. His latest project is Lumiere, a glass skyscraper on Wellington Street, Leeds, that will be one of the tallest residential buildings in Europe.
MD of Yorkshire Post Newspapers Chris Green, who presented the award, said: “The word entrepreneur was created for our winner.”
Dawn Sweeney, Yorkshire Post Newspapers advertisement director, revealed that the inaugural awards were such a success that planning for a repeat event next year was already underway.
She added: “We knew there was a lot to celebrate and we wanted to formally acknowledge the industry’s amazing achievements and its personalities.
“That’s why we came up with the awards and the support we’ve had is testimony to the vibrancy and dynamism of the property industry in the region.
“The entries were outstanding and the event was a big success, which is why we believe Yorkshire’s Finest Property Awards will be an annual highlight of the property calendar.”