Member Article

Young property star to represent Yorkshire and the North East in national property competition

A Sheffield Hallam student is to represent Yorkshire and the North East in a prestigious national property competition. Georgia Pirbhai studying Real Estate, competed against nine other students studying on built environment degree courses, to win the regional heat of the eighth Association of Women in Property (WiP) National Student Awards. She will now go through to the national final at Claridge’s in London, in September when she will compete against ten other young women from across the UK.

Jennifer Winyard, Chairman of the Yorkshire and North East branch of WiP, congratulated Georgia Pirbhai on her win, saying, “Georgia has done incredibly well to get this far. These Awards challenge the entrants to really think hard about the work they’re doing and the impact they as individuals might have on the built environment.

“The judges, who are all from different property disciplines, are looking for someone pretty special as, after all, these young women are the future of the industry. Women in Property wishes Georgia every success in the national final. We know she’ll do Yorkshire and the North East proud.”

Adam Cockroft, Director at DTZ, which is a sponsor of the Awards said, “We are pleased to be involved with these Awards because we really do see their value, not just for the young women taking part but also the benefit to the industry. Recognising this talent at an early stage and helping them to sharpen their skills as they progress into their chosen careers is invaluable for them and vital for their future employers.”

Georgia Pirbhai receives a cheque for £300 and a trophy. She said, “I’m really thrilled. I was amazed when my University nominated me for these Awards because I know the competition is pretty tough but it’s been a great experience, I’ve learned a lot and I’m so pleased I’ve made it through to the final. I’d like to thank the judges for putting their faith in me.”

In addition to Georgia there were nine other regional finalists, all of whom were nominated by their Universities – including two from the University of Sheffield. They were invited to go before a judging panel of industry experts, where they were questioned on a piece of coursework and topical industry issues.

The finalists were:-

Georgia Pirbhai, Sheffield Hallam University, Real Estate - WINNER

Nguyen Vo, University of Sheffield, Urban Studies

Kiet Wai Chew, University of Sheffield, Urban Studies and Planning

Keira Christie Mudd, Leeds University, Civil & Structural Engineering – HIGHLY COMMENDED

Karina Withers, Leeds Metropolitan University, Geography and Planning

Zahra Hagnajat, Leeds Metropolitan University, Architecture

Bethany Piggott, Leeds Metropolitan University, Building Surveying

Zamina Zishanraza M Abbas, University of Bradford, Civil and Structural Engineering

Naomi Gray, Newcastle University, Town Planning

Vicky Stewart, Northumbria University, Interior Architecture

The 2014 judging panel included Adam Cockcroft - DTZ, Jennifer Winyard - Linden Homes and Stephen Hardman - Morgan Tucker.

The national ‘Best of Best’ black tie dinner will be held at Claridge’s on Wednesday 17th September.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Monica Green .