University to present its 38th annual award for built environment excellence
Posted on: 29 September, 2025
Annabel Huffer, Senior Building Surveyor at Knight Frank, won the Alumni Award last year
The Built Environment Awards (formerly known as the Property Awards) ceremony returns this October for the 38th year, celebrating the very best talent across our sector.
Since 1987, the awards presented by the University of the Built Environment have honoured some of the most influential figures in property and construction – among them Chris Grigg CBE, Sir Stuart Lipton, and our Patron, His Majesty King Charles III.
Rebranded this year to reflect the University’s new identity, the awards recognise outstanding achievement in three categories: the Built Environment Award, the Alumni Award, and the Academic Excellence Award.
Together, these honours showcase the impact of leaders, practitioners and students who are shaping the future of the built environment.
The winner of this year’s Built Environment award will be unveiled on the day. Below are the nominees for the Alumni and Academic Excellence awards.
Alumni Award nominees
Lauren Lemcke
Lauren graduated from the MSc Quantity Surveying in 2021 and quickly achieved RICS Chartered status in 2022. Now Senior Project Surveyor at AECOM, she has already collected major industry accolades, including Best Woman Quantity Surveyor at the WICE Awards 2024.
Clockwise from top left: Lauren Lemcke, Josh Chana, Lily Ellis and Sarah Hayford
Josh Chana
Josh completed the BSc Construction Project Management at UBE in 2023 and is now Senior Project Manager at Chana Projects. His career has spanned roles at Lendlease, Imperial College London and AtkinsRealis, and he brings a particular passion for heritage and conservation.
Lily Ellis
Lily earned her MBA in 2022 and is Director of Workplace Experience, EMEA & APAC at NetApp. A Fellow of SCSI/RICS, she has been recognised as a Top Workplace Leader in 2023 and 2025, driving innovation in hybrid and people-centred workplace design.
Sarah Hayford
Sarah graduated with an MSc Real Estate (PGCert) in 2022 and went on to found The Land Collective, an award-winning social mobility programme dedicated to opening doors for underrepresented young people in the sector. Her leadership demonstrates a commitment to equity as much as excellence.
Academic Excellence Award nominees
Zac Hodson
A surveyor in Lambert Smith Hampton’s Central London Office Advisory team, Zac graduated from the MSc Real Estate in 2024. His dissertation explored the legacy of neoliberal housing policy in Barking and Dagenham, with a particular focus on the enduring impact of Right to Buy.
Emma Glover
Emma is a surveyor in JLL’s Living Capital Markets team and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2025. Her research considered whether single-family rental providers could drive wider adoption of modular construction in the UK.
Clockwise from top left: Zac Hodson, Emma Glover, Faith Gordon, William Norton, Sarah Kearsey and Emily Gibson
Faith Gordon
Faith is Property Project Manager at London City Mission and graduated in 2025. Her research investigated the development of a modular cohousing, training and medical centre in Iranduba, Brazil.
William Norton
William earned a distinction in MSc Real Estate in 2024. His dissertation examined how green roofs can support threatened insect species and enhance urban biodiversity.
Sarah Kearsey
Sarah, a 2025 graduate now working as a Project Delivery Manager in the Civil Service, analysed why women remain underrepresented in construction and how cultural and structural barriers might be overcome.
Emily Gibson
Emily works in JLL’s Development and Regeneration team, having graduated with distinction in 2024. Her dissertation examined the potential of innovation districts to revitalise declining Central Business Districts.
The 2025 Built Environment Awards take place at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London, on Thursday 9 October.
Learn more about our programmes and courses here.
