The talent, skills and ambition of the region’s female property and construction student undergraduates were celebrated at the South Wales Women in Property Student Awards dinner held at Voco St David’s in Cardiff on 6th June.
[aoa id=”1″]The Student Awards, seek out the best Built Environment degree students, highlighting to industry the necessity to link with Universities early in the education process and also improve the students’ knowledge of the career options available to them. Many secure work placements as a direct result of competing in the Awards, which often translate into permanent positions upon graduation.[/aoa]
The 2019 South Wales Award went to Sophie Bowyer, a student at the University of South Wales, where she is in her second year studying BSc Project Management Surveying. The judges, a panel comprising professionals in development, construction and surveying including branch Chairman Natalie Bell of regional Awards sponsor, Andrew Scott, described Sophie as, “a very strong candidate, she was calm and in control, topical, interesting and engaging with a good understanding of the issues.”
Natalie Bell said, “This generation of property and construction professionals is entering the industry at a critical time, when every one of us must adopt a duty of care for our environment and our communities. These inspirational young women have demonstrated the skills, commitment and ingenuity the country will need in future and we are delighted to have met them during the course of this competition. Congratulations to all of them and, in particular to Sophie – we wish her every success in the national final.”
Mark Bowen, Managing Director of Andrew Scott Ltd, sponsor for the South Wales Award, said: “We are very proud to be able to support the Women in Property Student Awards in South Wales this year. It is encouraging to see new talent of all ages and backgrounds being attracted into the built environment industry and we are pleased to support a platform upon which their ideas, eagerness and commitment are recognised”.
Mandy St John Davy, National Chairman of Women in Property (and former regional Chairman for the South Wales region) added: “I am grateful to our local universities and colleges for engaging with us each year by identifying and sending through their top students – without them this prestigious event would not be possible. Wales builds strong women; we are entrepreneurs and trailblazers and these five students will disrupt the cultural bias as they progress through their careers. It is inevitable, but it is our duty, every single one of us to help, nurture and support these talented women. I wish them all the best for their futures in an exciting industry.”
Sophies’ tutor, John Ryan, Senior Lecturer within the Built Environment Department at the University of South of Wales said: “Sophie is an enthusiastic and dedicated student who is already showing the attributes required to be a really great project manager. This is the third year running one of our students has won this award, which as well as demonstrating the quality of our students, shows that industry recognises that we are developing high quality professionals that will be the leaders of the future.”
Sophie received a trophy, £300 and the opportunity to take part in Women in Property’s acclaimed mentoring programme. She will represent the South Wales on 18th September, when she goes before a National judging panel, competing against 13 other regional finalists for the National Student Awards, which are sponsored by Bouygues, Linden Homes and Savills.
The winner will be announced at the Best of the Best Awards dinner, to be held at Claridge’s on 18th September. This year 137 students were nominated for the Awards, across eight of Women in Property’s branches. 14 were selected to go through to the Final.
