Government Property Awards 2023

Tuesday 26th September 2023

One Great George Street, Westminster SW1P 3AA

This is the 4th year of the flagship awards programme in government property, comprising developments and programmes from across the public sector. Categories cover collaboration, capability, sustainability and the coveted ‘Project of the Year’ award, among others. Applications for these prestigious awards come from every area of Government, and cover almost every area of the property profession and public service.

Attendance is by invitation only.

Award Presenters Award Sponsors Event Timetable Contact Us Awards

Award Categories & Winners

Tuesday 26th September 2023, One Great George Street, Westminster SW1P 3AA

The Government Property Awards are to be presented on the afternoon of Tuesday 26th September and will provide a unique opportunity for property professionals from across the public sector to celebrate successes and to recognise individuals and teams who have made a real difference.

Collaboration – presented by SCAPE Group

Winner: Prisoners Building Homes Programme, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Devon & Cornwall

A team, individual, or organisation who has demonstrated innovation and ambition in collaboration, either between departments, with the wider public sector, or the property industry. The collaboration should lead to real results,improving the performance of the public estate, leading to
improved service delivery.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Delivered real benefits, financial or otherwise, through the creation of new relationships and collaborations between organisations
Delivered improvements to the effectiveness of the public estate and public services through collaboration between organisations
Encouraged innovation and new models of delivery through collaboration

Project of the Year – presented by EQUANS

Winner: Town Hall Delivery Team, Department for Work & Pensions

An outstanding team, undertaking a project that has contributed to excellence and improved outcomes in government property. The winning project may have utilised innovation or digital solutions for the projects requirements.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Made a significant improvement to government property, the building or building services that impact on the user, the wider public and/or the environment
Delivered clearly defined benefits through encouraging effective working across sectors, managed and reviewed through the life cycle of the project
Clearly articulated the business case for the property change, demonstrating the continued justification of the project strategically

Transforming Places – presented by PA Consulting

Winner: 23 Stephenson Street Birmingham, Government Property Agency

New for 2023! For the team that has transformed government spaces in line with the Government Property Strategy.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Transformed Places to support improved public services
Helped level up communities, contributing to place-making, regeneration, and new housing supply
Demonstrated commitment to high‑quality design and beautiful places
Showcased built-in flexibility to adapt the estate to changing service models along with greater emphasis on colocation and multiple occupancy of buildings.

Health & Safety – presented by Atkins Realis

Winner (Individual): James Stapleton, HM Revenue & Customs

Winner (Team): Safety & Health at Work Team, DEFRA

New for 2023! For the H&S team or individual H&S professional who has achieved significant change and improvement of Health and Safety management within their organisation. Recognises commitment to exemplary health,safety and wellbeing management in the Government Estate.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Identified a new and emerging risk to health safety and well-being within their organisation
Demonstrated a creative and collaborative approach to finding solutions
Implemented changes with real, tangible results

Smaller, Better, Greener

Winner: The MoJ Property Technical Team, Ministry of Justice

New for 2023! For the team which has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the new Government Property Strategy and implemented programmes to deliver a smaller, better, and greener public estate.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Helped to create a smaller, better, and greener public estate
Transformed the Government property portfolio, showcasing a shift to a higher quality, fit for purpose, shared, more efficient, productive and sustainable estate
Worked toward creating an estate which is more efficient, effective and sustainable

Sustainability – presented by RSK

Winner: Reforest and Reform Project Team, Ministry of Justice

An individual, team or network who demonstrate exceptional commitment to sustainability whether in their workplace or in their area of responsibility.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Measured, monitored and reduced environmental impact within the organisation’s area of work
Levered innovation in the sustainability agenda beyond their own project. potentially to different teams, organisations or sectors
Minimised or eradicated cost to the environment in terms of energy use or other resources through measurement, monitoring and intervention

Capability Champion – presented by Valuation Office Agency

Winner: Squadron Leader Victor Hodgson and Squadron Leader Alistair Metcalfe, Ministry of Defence (Royal Air Force)

For an an individual or team who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving skills, capability, and development of talent.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Identified a gap in current or future skills needs in their team, and designed a solution that engages colleagues in developing those skills
Built professionalisation and/or specialist skills within the profession – helping to create property professionals who are experts in their field
Has been innovative in delivery – perhaps making use of virtual or social learning techniques to develop skills that can be applied quickly to the challenges faced

Inclusivity Champion – presented by Kier Places

Winner: Nottingham Office, Valuation Office Agency

For a team, network or individual who have made a significant contribution to the diversity and inclusivity agenda within government property, helping the profession, across all sectors, become representative of the public we serve.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Acted as a role model in championing D&I issues from across public sector property/profession
Created an inclusive culture by challenging inequalities and barriers
Led initiatives to remove barriers and enable talented employees from underrepresented groups to realise their full potential and attract new talent
Played a leading role in collaborating with others to join up key stakeholders as part of workable solutions

Innovation – presented by Arcadis

Winner: Workplace Design Team, Department for Work & Pensions

New for 2023! For the individual or team who can best demonstrate how they used imaginative, innovative solutions to solve complex problems.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Demonstrated a commitment to finding new ways of working
Used data and/or emerging technologies to tangibly advance the work of the Government Property Function
Used proptech to drive better use or operation of the Government estate to support better public services or improved sustainability

Keystone

Winner: Helen Goodwin, HM Revenue & Customs

For a special individual who goes above and beyond to deliver outstanding results, working in a role or area which is often in the background but nonetheless vital to the success of the team or service.

The criteria for this award are not prescriptive.

Judges will be looking to recognise an individual who has consistently demonstrated a commitment to their work, delivering important and positive outcomes
Someone whose outstanding work does not usually receive a high profile, and who is worthy of special recognition
Someone who is a huge asset to an organisation, whose work is essential to the operation of a service or the wider business

Leadership – presented by Morgan Sindall Construction and Overbury

Winner: Kate Guthrie, Government Property Agency

For an individual who has demonstrated significant leadership, regardless of their job role or grade. This can be a team leader, a line manager, a member of staff who has been upward managing or a temporary step up the plate.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Acted as a role model for their colleagues, leading by example and inspiring colleagues, peers and or their team to go above and beyond involving colleagues
Acting on feedback to create an effective, inclusive and productive work environment by way of their leadership style or method
Shown remarkable leadership qualities that are beyond their usual work remit or role

Rising Star – presented by Carter Jonas

Winner: Tom Muldowney, LocatED

An individual in the first 5 years of their property career who has made outstanding contributions to their area of work while maintaining progress in growing their knowledge, skills and experience.

The winning nomination could demonstrate how they have:

Made a substantial achievement and the potential to succeed further in their career
A passionate, driven and delivery focused individual who has excelled in their training and gone above and beyond to support their team, department and function
Maintained and grown a collaborative approach to their work, or attempted something outside their comfort zone

Judges Choice (Individual) Winner: Helen Christian, Valuation Office Agency

Judges Choice (Team) Winner: Ebbsfleet Garden City, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Speakers and Award Presenters

Tuesday 26th September 2023, One Great George Street, Westminster SW1P 3AA

Award Presenters Award Sponsors Event Timetable Contact Us Awards

Government Property Awards 2023

Tuesday 26th September 2023, One Great George Street, Westminster SW1P 3AA

GovernmentPropertyAwards-26Sep2023-DecoyMedia-13

GovernmentPropertyAwards-26Sep2023-DecoyMedia-4

GovernmentPropertyAwards-26Sep2023-DecoyMedia-22

Award Presenters Award Sponsors Event Timetable Contact Us Awards

Speakers and Award Presenters

Tuesday 26th September 2023, One Great George Street, Westminster SW1P 3AA

Mark Chivers, Government Chief Property Officer, Cabinet Office

Mark joined the Cabinet Office as Government Chief Property Officer in January 2022.

Mark is responsible for providing senior, strategic leadership for the whole cross-government property function. He works with a wide range of senior stakeholders within government and in the wider public sector promoting the intelligent use of property to deliver better public services at lower cost to the taxpayer.

Mark provides strategic leadership for the Government Property Function, and holds senior leaders accountable to the Government Functional Standard. He leads on major change programmes, supporting the delivery of better and more integrated public services, overseeing – among others – the Places for Growth programme and supporting the Levelling Up agenda.

Mark has 20 years’ experience at Board level in both the private and public sectors, most recently as Director of Estates Engineering and Energy at Boots UK, but has led teams across Property, Marketing, Procurement, Operations and Transformation in Walgreens Boots Alliance businesses.

Innovation Award Presenter:

Amir Baharlou, Partner, Arcadis

Amir leads the Central Government Sector for Arcadis and has worked with most Government Departments and Agencies over the last 20 years. His focus is to support the creation, maintenance and operation of modern, agile, effective facilities and great places for Civil Servants to work.

Collaboration Award Presenter:

Andrew Bannister, Head of Business Development, SCAPE Group

Andrew joined SCAPE Group in 2015 after twenty years in construction consultancy, four years in the European motor industry and a spell in the NHS. His role is to proactively support clients in achieving value for money across their capital programme, whilst also helping them to deliver with efficiency, speed and the best community outcomes possible.

Andrew is an expert on multidisciplinary multi-sector projects having worked extensively for clients in Education, Health, Defence and Local Government, as well as many clients in Residential, Commercial and Industrial property. He is also a Chartered Environmentalist and an expert in Sustainable Construction.

Capability Champion Award Presenter:

John Berry MRICS, Director of Property Professional Services, Chief Valuer Group, Valuation Office Agency

John is the Director of Property Professional Services within the Chief Valuer Group of the Valuation Office Agency. He is responsible for legal, technical, and professional policy guidance to the Non – Domestic Rating, Council Tax, District Valuer Services and Rent Officer business streams.
His remit also covers Valuation Assurance, and he is currently the Head of the Surveying Profession in the Agency, which encompasses oversight of the Agency’s surveyor pipeline covering graduates, apprentices and placement students. He also has responsibility for the Agency’s business continuity and led the successful response to the COVID pandemic.

John joined the VOA in 1986 as an Admin Assistant, qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1992 and has had several leadership roles across the Agency. In October 2020, he took up the post of Director of the newly formed Property Professional Services reporting directly to the Chief Valuer.
Born in Manchester, John lives in the Peak District, and is a passionate lover of the outdoors.

Leadership Award Presenter:

Mike Borkowski. National Business Development Director, Morgan Sindall Construction

Specialising in public sector frameworks Mike joined Morgan Sindall in 2022 after spells in both the private and public sector. Mike leads Morgan Sindall’s engagement with several central government departments and agencies as well as many other organisations in the wider public sector. Mike is a Construction and STEM ambassador and a passionate advocate for creating social value, community legacy and employment/skills opportunities through the power of public sector procurement.

Rising Star Award Presenter:

Alexandra Houghton, Head of Public Sector, Carter Jonas

Alexandra is a Partner at Carter Jonas with a long history of providing strategic advice to a number of clients, the majority of which are in Central and Local Government. She leads the National Consultancy & Strategy team who focus on providing advice to support clients with decision making including: option appraisals, financial modelling, estate strategies, property asset management plans and the preparation and delivery of HM Treasury Green Book compliance Business Cases. She oversees Public Sector work across the firm and regularly liaises with our infrastructure, development, valuation, management, planning and rural teams to provide rounded advice to clients.

Project of the Year Award Presenter:

Andrew Mills, Sector Director – Central Government, EQUANS

Andy has been Sector Director for Central Government at Equans since March 2023. He has 32 years’ experience with Central Government, with over 20 in the Government Property Profession. As an established Property Leader, he worked closely with the Office of Government Property, such as Chairing Central Government’s FM Taskforce in 2021/2022.

Andy was the Chief Property Officer for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) up to January 2023, leading property services for the MoJ and the Home Office across a £8bn complex operational property portfolio (c2000 properties), with a diverse customer base. He specialised in Commercial, Facilities Management, Project Delivery (including capital project delivery), Estate Management and Sustainability.

In his current role, Andy uses his experience and understanding of the complexities and challenges of managing Central Government property (and associated relationships) to prioritise and continually develop Equans partnerships across Central Government, ensuring that we understand and deliver to departmental priorities (such as Net Zero) and put end users at the heart of our service delivery.

Inclusivity Champion Award Presenter:

Giles Sudderick, Operations Director – Central Government Contracts, Kier

Giles is an accomplished Head of Operations with extensive experience in the Facilities Management (FM) industry, honed through his diverse roles within the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). Currently serving as Operations Director for our Central Government Contracts, Giles plays a pivotal role in ensuring seamless contract delivery, epitomising a trusted partner with his wealth of experience and unwavering commitment.

At the core of Giles’s responsibilities is overseeing and serving as the principal point of contact for our Delivery Teams. With a team of seasoned professionals under his guidance, he meticulously manages contract execution, always prioritising safety. Giles masterfully applies Kier’s best practice processes across multiple contracts, fostering unwavering client satisfaction.

Giles’s career is marked by a history of nurturing enduring, mutually beneficial partnerships and delivering customer-centric services with exceptional clarity and dedication. He excels in comprehending and addressing client needs, leveraging effective communication and in-depth understanding to ensure contracts are executed with precision and excellence.

Transforming Places Award Presenter:

Liz Tolcher, Associate Partner, PA Consulting

As a senior member of PA’s People & Change leadership team for the Public sector, Liz leads the HR & Workforce practice which means she gets to offer her advice and counsel to a wide range of central and local government clients as they grapple with all of their workforce challenges.
Using her industry background, Liz is skilled in all aspects of HR from all forms of organisational change, recruitment, talent management and employee engagement and she loves tying it all together as part of a well-articulated and motivating people plan or strategy. Liz is also a Chartered Member of the CIPD.

She also enjoys drawing alongside client HR teams to enhance the way they serve their business and can advise on HR operating model and strategy as well as supporting HR teams to partner effectively with their internal customers.

Health & Safety Award Presenter:

Stephanie Walters, Regional Director and Central Government Key Account Lead, Atkins Realis

Throughout Stephanie’s 15 years with F+G (now Atkins Realis), her people focus and desire to encourage positive change across the business has always been clear. Stephanie is an Account Lead for one of our Key Central Government clients alongside her role as a people and culture leader for the business. She was an integral part of developing our health and wellbeing strategy for the UK and Europe, sitting on our Wellbeing Steering Committee from its outset in 2017. Her input has included influencing initiatives, raising awareness, providing feedback and reporting back to the wider business.

Stephanie is a trained Mental Health First Aider and contributed to the roll out of this programme across the business in support of our people.

Stephanie brings her passion for wellbeing into all aspects of her work and believes that the wellbeing and mental health of our people is key to organisational success and sustainability.