Built Environment Apprenticeship Awards 2026: Winners
Posted on: 13 February, 2026
The University of the Built Environment’s Apprenticeship Awards 2026 celebrated the individuals and employers raising the bar across the sector.
From emerging surveyors balancing study and site work, to senior leaders embedding apprenticeships at scale, this year’s winners reflect the depth, diversity and dynamism of apprentices in the built environment.
Below, we profile each of this year’s award recipients. Find out more about them and their top tips for apprentices.
Aom Butreewong
Level 6 Building Surveying Apprentice | Hollis
Winner: Undergraduate of the Year
Aom Butreewong is a Level 6 Building Surveying Apprentice at Hollis, the independent real estate consultancy. Combining academic study with hands-on commercial experience, she supports inspections, technical reporting and project delivery across varied property portfolios.
Degree apprenticeships demand resilience and rigour. Balancing deadlines, site visits and university coursework requires discipline and focus, and Aom’s award recognises both academic excellence and professional impact at an early stage in her career.
Working within a consultancy environment exposes her to a wide range of property challenges, accelerating her development towards chartered status.
“My top tip is just go for it. Take every opportunity that is thrown at you because you never know what doors it might open.”
Callum Haire
Assistant Quantity Surveyor | Vistry Group
Winner: Postgraduate of the Year
Callum Haire recently completed his MSc in Quantity Surveying at the University of the Built Environment while building his professional career at Vistry Group.
Since joining in 2023, he has gained experience across commercial quantity surveying, estimating, finance, land and planning, and construction. This breadth of exposure has given him a clear understanding of how projects move from concept through to completion.
Alongside his professional role, Callum serves as a RICS Ambassador and Student Officer at the University, demonstrating his commitment not just to his own progression, but to supporting others entering the profession.
His award recognises postgraduate achievement under pressure, and the ability to translate academic insight into practical delivery.
He said: “An apprenticeship master’s was literally the best decision I made because I was able to work alongside learning which I didn’t think was possible. On top of that, all the learning I did was vital to my job so it all combined to being the most worthwhile time I spent.
“I got a degree at the end of it, it’s so worth it, and if you don’t do it then it’s just a wasted opportunity.
“They are designed to help you improve and go further in life and just do better, so I’d encourage anyone to go down that route. It was honestly amazing.”
Rhoda Mante Aggrey
Commercial Real Estate Apprentice | Places for London
Winner: Rising Star
Rhoda Mante Aggrey is a Commercial Real Estate Apprentice at Places for London, gaining exposure to asset management, property inspection, lease review and commercial operations within a major urban portfolio.
Her early career trajectory reflects curiosity, initiative and a commitment to sustainable development. Through industry insight programmes and structured apprenticeship learning, she has rapidly built commercial confidence and sector knowledge.
The Rising Star award recognises her trajectory and potential, highlighting a professional already making a meaningful contribution while still in the formative stages of her career.
Her message to other apprentices is: “I just want to encourage everyone to keep going whether you’re 40 years in, two months in, everybody has got it set for them.”
Jason Antill
Managing Director | PRE Commercial Chartered Surveyors
Winner: Employer Representative of the Year (SME)
Jason Antill leads PRE Commercial Chartered Surveyors, a multidisciplinary firm delivering building surveying, measurement, project management and sustainability services nationwide.
Founded in 2008 with a focus on commercial energy and sustainability, the business has grown organically into a full-service consultancy while maintaining a hands-on, client-centred ethos.
Within the SME landscape, apprenticeships require strategic investment and personal commitment. Jason’s leadership demonstrates how smaller firms can offer high-quality training environments, direct exposure to clients and accelerated responsibility for developing professionals.
His award highlights the vital role SMEs play in broadening access to the profession and nurturing talent through close mentorship and varied project experience.
He said: “This evening we’ve got three of our apprentices here, and we can’t do it without them, but also Linda Alexander (apprenticeship assessor) who nominated me, a big thank you to her. I wasn’t expecting this at all!”
Serena Phillips
Professional Apprenticeships Manager (Associate Director) | Savills
Winner: Employer Representative of the Year (Large Employer)
Serena Phillips leads the Savills Apprenticeship Programme as Associate Director within the Future Talent Team.
Overseeing recruitment and development across multiple disciplines, she has played a significant role in expanding apprenticeship pathways within one of the UK’s leading real estate firms. From structured induction to ongoing professional development, her work ensures apprentices are not only recruited, but retained, supported and progressed.
Her award recognises leadership at scale – embedding apprenticeships into corporate strategy while maintaining personalised support for each individual learner.
Jaromir Kvetoun
Managing Surveyor | Cambridge City Council
Winner: Employer Representative of the Year (Public Sector)
Jaromir Kvetoun leads a multidisciplinary surveying team at Cambridge City Council, operating at the strategic intersection of asset management, governance and digital modernisation.
Responsible for capital projects, compliance, maintenance and service improvement, he brings structured leadership to public-sector property management. Crucially, he embeds apprenticeship development into that framework, ensuring emerging professionals are supported within a robust and forward-looking environment.
His leadership blends operational delivery with long-term capability building, aligning people, processes and technology to strengthen resilience across the public estate.
This award recognises his commitment to mentoring, professional standards and developing future talent within local government.
