Built Environment Awards 2025 honours sector’s brightest talent
Posted on: 10 October, 2025
The University of the Built Environment marked its 38th annual Built Environment Awards with a glittering ceremony at London’s Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, on Thursday 9 October 2025.
Hundreds of distinguished guests, alumni, students and staff gathered for the luncheon in the opulent Carlton Room, with its grand, marble-like columns providing a suitably grand backdrop for what could be dubbed the Oscars of the built environment sector.
The new name of the awards event, previously known as the Property Awards, reflects the University’s new identity and name.
Built Environment Award
The headline Built Environment Award went to Sam McClary, chief executive of the British Council for Offices and former editor of Estates Gazette. Sam, who spent 20 years at the publication before stepping down as editor in January, said she was “overwhelmed” to receive an accolade that has previously honoured “so many phenomenal human beings who have been so active in the built environment.”
She added: “It’s really humbling to pick up an award that has been given in a former guise to so many phenomenal human beings… The imposter syndrome in me says that I’m just a journalist, just doing a job and trying to nudge this industry along in the right direction, so it’s really wonderful to be recognised for that.”
Widely regarded as both a champion and challenger to the sector, Sam has pressed for greater diversity, inclusion, sustainability and innovation, launching the Future Leaders programme and serving on the advisory board of Black Women in Real Estate. Since May, she has led the British Council for Offices, continuing to shape the debate during a pivotal moment for the workplace sector.
Alumni Award
Since 2015, the awards have expanded to include Alumni and Student categories, recognising not only established leaders but also emerging talent shaping the future of the built environment.
This year’s Alumni Award was presented to Sarah Hayford, CEO and founder of The Land Collective.
Sarah, who graduated from University of the Built Environment with a PGCert in 2022 before completing an MSc in Real Estate, has become a prominent advocate for social mobility in the sector.
Her organisation works to open doors for underrepresented young people through initiatives such as Black Girls in Property.
She said: “It’s lovely to feel recognised and be recognised by the industry, and to know that our work is impacting so many people in different ways.”
“We’re always trying to see what more we can do and how much further we can push the boat out to try and reach young people and people from underrepresented backgrounds who wouldn’t traditionally have considered the sector as a career path… I think it’s a great way to see that the sector is susceptible to change and something that they’re taking very seriously.”
Ashley praised Sarah’s achievements, describing her as:
“An exceptional force for good who is having a genuine impact in breaking the mould across the sector.”
Academic Excellence Award
The Academic Excellence Award went to William Norton, whose Master’s dissertation explored the role of green roofs in supporting threatened insect species and enhancing biodiversity within urban environments.
William, who earned a distinction in his MSc Real Estate in 2024 at the University of the Built Environment after graduating from the University of Oxford, said:
“I feel very privileged, it’s a piece of work that I’ve put a lot of time and energy into and something I am passionate about so to be recognised for that work is very rewarding.”
Ashley highlighted the originality and importance of Norton’s research:
“The project was a perfect example of an author’s deployment of prior academic knowledge (in this case from biology) synthesised with their built environment discipline to create an original and creative piece of work sustained by an evident passion for the subject.”
‘Truly honoured’
Speaking after the luncheon, Vice Chancellor Ashley Wheaton said: “I remain truly honoured to be in the presence of so many esteemed guests and supporters of the University of the Built Environment.”
He added: “We are grateful for the incredible levels of support we have received from our partners across the sector. We remain truly honoured to provide you with talented graduates who deliver creative, innovative solutions and uphold the highest of professional standards.”
The award, previously known as the Property Award, has recognised some of the industry’s most influential figures since 1987 including Chris Grigg CBE, Sir Stuart Lipton, and the University’s Patron, His Majesty King Charles III.
The nominees
The strong shortlist of nominees, who reflect the breadth of talent across the sector, were:
Alumni Award nominees
- Lauren Lemcke – Senior Project Surveyor at AECOM
- Josh Chana – Senior Project Manager at Chana Projects
- Lily Ellis – Director of Workplace Experience, EMEA & APAC at NetApp
- Sarah Hayford – Founder & CEO, The Land Collective – winner
Academic Excellence Award nominees
- Zac Hodson – Surveyor in Lambert Smith Hampton’s Central London Office Advisory team
- Emma Glover – Surveyor in JLL’s Living Capital Markets team
- Faith Gordon – Property Project Manager at London City Mission
- Sarah Kearsey – Project Delivery Manager in the Civil Service
- Emily Gibson – JLL Development & Regeneration
- William Norton – Investment Analyst, Imperial College, London – winner
