On the fabulous sunny evening of Friday 7th July, 450 professionals from the Property Management industry attended the first ever ARMA Ace Awards held at Tobacco Dock.
The aim of the event was simple. To celebrate the excellence and exceptional achievement by the UK’s leading Managing Agents and the work they do in improving the lives of thousands of leaseholders. The winners were selected by a panel of 13 well-respected industry professionals from different backgrounds within the sector.
An evening full of fun, fine-dining, and celebrations was had by all that attended. The evening also featured a live band, model racing cars, casino tables, a photo booth and vodka luge. (Pictures from the event can be viewed here: http://awards.arma.org.uk/home/gallery)
Dr Nigel Glen, ARMA CEO, said: “The winners are a credit to the industry and I know what a hard job the judges had in deciding who should go home with a trophy. The winning firms and team members are setting the standard for companies that wish to be recognised for achieving excellence and best practice in their field.”
Here at Block Recruit, we’d like to again congratulate all of the well deserved winners and those that were highly commended. We’d also like to take the chance to again thank ARMA for a fantastic evening on behalf of all that attended. We’re already looking forward to next year!
Now. Without further ado, let’s here from the winners…
Smaller Managing Agent of the Year
Winner: Plymouth Block Management
“When hard work is recognised, it proves the time and dedication invested has paid off. The Plymouth Block Management team are all extremely pleased to have won the Smaller Managing Agent of the Year award. Winning this award has only encouraged us to continue developing and leading the industry within the South West of England.”
Samuel Milne, Operations Manager
Medium Managing Agent of the Year
Winner: Realty Management
“It is an absolute honour to have been selected as the best medium sized managing agent in the UK, which is one of the most competitive size categories within the awards. These awards represent the best of the best and what is really nice is how objectively they have been judged on what we really do on a day to day basis. We have already been congratulated by a number of our clients and customers already, many of which have experience of other agents but are delighted that we were selected as the winners”
Chris Wiles, Director
Larger Managing Agent of the Year
Corporate Social Responsibility Firm of the Year
Customer Service Award
Winner: Rendall & Rittner
“We were delighted to join developers, managing agents and suppliers at the ARMA Awards. As members of ARMA, we already know how important it is to work together with like-minded professionals to set high standards in residential block management, so we were thrilled to be shortlisted for four of these prestigious awards. Imagine our delight when we scooped three trophies for the ARMA Customer Service Award, Larger Managing Agent of the Year and also the Corporate Social Responsibility Award. These awards go to show just how important it is to offer exceptional, value added services to our clients and their residents. For example, this year we have launched the R&R Residents Club and the first ever government apprenticeship in Housing and Property Management.”
Richard Daver, Managing Director
On-Site Staff Member of the Year
Winner: Jamie Whalley, Braemar Estates
“I was absolutely overjoyed when my name was announced as ‘On-Site Staff Member of the Year’ at the inaugural ARMA ACE Awards. Having worked on-site for 11 years, it felt very validating to know that my customer focus, efforts and hard work are acknowledged and appreciated. What I do within my role is only possible due to the support from the rest of the Braemar Estates team, so I share this honour with them. A special thanks goes to our Director and my line manager Lyn Windeler for her continual encouragement and guidance. Working within the property management industry can sometimes be a thankless task, however if everyone who won felt the elation that I did, then I feel things will only continue going from strength- to-strength for the ARMA ACE Awards.”
Jamie Whalley, Assistant Building Manager
Service Charge Accountant of the Year
Winner: Charlotte Perrott, FirstPort Bespoke Property Services
“Winning this award was one of the proudest moments of my career. I was so pleased to win and really feel rewarded and appreciated for all the work I’ve put in over the years. I always push myself to achieve the highest quality of work, and never shy away from a challenge, and to have that recognised is amazing.”
Charlotte Perrott, Business Support Manager
Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Oliver Fanthorpe, Michael Laurie Magar
“MLM are delighted that Oliver has been awarded the Apprentice of the year ARMA Ace Award. He is very deserving of this accolade and we are thrilled for him to receive recognition in the industry. MLM are firmly committed to giving apprentice’s the opportunity to grow and develop within our company. We look forward to Oliver’s continued development within the property management industry.”
Shelley Jacobs, Director (Award, collected by Shelley as shown)
Property Woman of the Year
Winner: Emily Orner, SPL Property Management
“It all seems very surreal and I have been overwhelmed by the messages of congratulation and support which I have received from so many since the event. The award is pride of place on my bookshelves in the office and I hope that other women are inspired to get fully involved in the sector and I look forward to seeing everyone at next year's event.”
Emily Orner, Head of Property Management
Unsung Hero
Winner: Tom Dugdale, Braemar Estates
“It is great to be recognised by ARMA for my achievements in the Property Industry. We work in a challenging industry where many focus on the little things that go wrong and not on the great work we do. To be acknowledged as an ‘Unsung Hero’ at the ARMA Ace Awards is a fantastic accolade of the hard work of both myself and the whole Braemar Estates team.”
Tom Dugdale, Associate
Provider of the Year
Winner: Cleankill Pest Control
“We have been shortlisted for many national awards such as Investors in People and the British Institute of Facilities Management but it is the first time we have won one so we are absolutely thrilled. We already work with many ARMA members and taking part in this award scheme and winning means we will now be known by many more.”
Paul Bates, Managing Director
Service Charge Accountancy Firm of the Year
Winner: Haines Watts
“This award is so special to all the team at Haines Watts Service Charge. To be recognised in this way is extremely satisfying particularly when you consider the quality of the other finalists involved and the calibre of the judging panel. It is also an important moment for the company. The whole team is committed to raising the standards of service charge reporting and this success suggests that we are heading in the right direction.”
Gordon Whelan, Director
Industry Supplier of the Year
Winner: Future Lighting
“ARMA Awards – we aced it!! Our whole team is thrilled that Future Lighting has been named Industry Supplier of the Year, winning our category at the first ARMA ACE Awards. We had a great evening, meeting old friends and industry peers, which was topped off by the awards ceremony – and the excitement of being announced winners. We felt as if we were at the Oscars! A big thank you to everyone at Future Lighting who has worked so hard to help us win this award and to our fantastic clients who provided us with the testimonials that helped convince the judging panel that we deserved the top spot. A great night was had by all. See you next year!”
Jamie Willsdon, Director