17-05-2025
Britain's best construction and property talent honoured
Britain's most dynamic names in property and construction were honoured this week at the Sunday Express Construction and Property Awards. Broadcaster Kate Garraway hosted the glittering celebration of excellence which saw Legacie emerge as the night's standout winner.
It took home Property Developer of the Year for its projects across the North West, including Liverpool's Parliament Square regeneration scheme. The company's success at the Manchester event was further cemented when founder and CEO John Morley was named Male Property Champion.
Building giant Barratt Redrow was named Housebuilder of the Year, recognised for its industry-leading standards, build quality and continued delivery of high-quality homes across the UK.
Construction excellence was also in the spotlight, with G&G Joinery taking home Contractor of the Year for its track record in project delivery and commitment to innovation and health & safety.
Finance played a central role in the awards, with Close Brothers Group named Best Property Lender, recognised for its flexible approach to development finance and support for ambitious residential and commercial schemes.
Samantha Palin of Prospect Homes received a rousing ovation when she was named Female Property Champion of the Year. Her leadership, commitment to diversity, and influence in the housebuilding sector were praised as a benchmark for others.
Demonstrating the strength of the next generation of talent, Nexus Residential took home both Residential Property Developer of the Year and Innovator of the Year, recognised for its environmentally conscious approach to housing and commitment to low-carbon building design.
Meanwhile, Jarron Developments was named Build-to-Rent Developer of the Year, applauded for its role in rejuvenating a derelict site and transforming it into a £120million mixed-use scheme. CERT Property was recognised with Best Proposed Regeneration Scheme for its 35-storey tower in Salford Quays.
The awards also celebrated innovation in energy, with Next Energy Solutions winning the coveted Retrofit Project of the Year for its nationwide work delivering solar and renewable systems.
Global investment powerhouse RWinvest was crowned Investment Agency of the Year, praised for its strategic market insight and ability to secure major property investment deals.
Kate Garraway said: 'This was an incredible evening, full of ambition, achievement and truly inspiring stories. The companies and individuals recognised here tonight are helping to shape the very skylines of our country – and doing it with purpose, innovation and heart.'
Express editor-in-chief Tom Hunt spokesperson added: 'We're proud to shine a light on the businesses and leaders that make Britain's construction and property sectors so resilient, forward-thinking and inclusive. These awards celebrate those raising the bar across the industry – from development and finance to sustainability and leadership.'
Other winners included Ai Law and MSB Solicitors, who were jointly named Legal Team of the Year, while DIY giant Wickes took home the Outstanding Supplier Award alongside Warwick North West.
A poignant moment came as Jimmy Hassall, founder of J&J Bricklayers, received a standing ovation upon being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, honouring a decades-long contribution to the industry.
Property Developer of the Year
Legacie
Residential Property Developer of the Year
Nexus Residential
Construction Business of the Year
Eric Wright Group
The Barratt Redrow Outstanding CSR Award
Frank Rogers
Outstanding Commitment to ED&I
RWinvest
Female Property Champion of the Year
Samantha Palin (Prospect Homes)
Male Property Champion of the Year
John Morley (Legacie)
Real Estate Agency of the Year
Quay Property
Outstanding Supplier of the Year Award
Wickes & Warwick North West
Architecture Business of the Year
Hodder+Partners
Legal Team of the Year
MSB Solicitors & Ai Law
Property Deal of the Year
Jarron Developments, Metalworks
Investment Agency of the Year
RWinvest
Consultancy Team of the Year
Tyler Grange
Innovator of the Year
Nexus Residential
Best Property Marketing Campaign
Centurion Village, Barratt Redrow
House Builder of the Year
Barratt Redrow
Development of the Year
Parliament Square, Legacie
Contractor of the Year
G&G Joinery
Retrofit Project of the Year
Next Energy Solutions
Best Property Lender
Close Brothers Group
Build to Rent Development of the Year
Jarron Developments, Metalworks
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