And the winners are...? Propertymark Qualifications honours top performers

Rising stars in the property world gathered with seasoned professionals at the British Museum this week for the Propertymark Qualifications’ annual awards.

The event celebrates those who achieve outstanding results in their examinations and apprenticeship assessments, as well as the personal achievements of learners who are nominated by their peers.

TV presenter, Move iQ founder and Propertymark ambassador Phil Spencer hosted the evening, which was sponsored by insurance broker and consulting firm Gallagher.

The award for Rising Star went to Georgia Furmidge who has been working in sales department at David James Estate Agency in Nottingham for the past year and a half.

Joining as a junior estate agent apprentice, which she passed with a distinction, before progressing to become the agency’s new business co-ordinator.

Learner of the Year was Rosie Croft, who works in the lettings department at Brown & Co’s office in North Ferriby, Humberside.

Rosie started as a receptionist in 2018 before becoming a lettings negotiator. Her nomination described her ‘positivity and cheerfulness as an inspiration’ having continued to work and study while overcoming some personal challenges.

Employer Champion of the Year was Oxfordshire-based agency Finders Keepers.

Managing director Paul Rushworth collected the award in recognition of the company’s commitment to training that means a majority of the team are qualified to Level 3 or Level 4, or both. Paul himself has recently gained Level 4 for the second time — 25 years after the first.

Apprentice of the Year was Carys Reid of Belvoir in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Auctioneering Candidate of the Year was Emma Price of Peter Francis Auctions in Wales.

Sales Candidate of the Year was Catherine Slater of GSC Grays who completed a Level 3 Award in The Sale of Residential Property

Lettings Candidate of the Year was Hannah Baldwick who completed a Level 2 Award in Introduction to Residential Property Management Practice.

Level 4 Candidate of the Year was Ramona Hirschi of Belvoir who completed a Level 4 Certificate in Residential Letting and Property Management.

Michael Smith, head of Propertymark Qualifications, said: “Our awards ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our current crop of learners and to acknowledge the great enthusiasm within the property profession to get qualified and to drive up standards.

“To hear the inspiring stories of our learners at the British Museum, an iconic property, and in the company of Phil Spencer, one of the best-known names in the sector, made this year’s awards extra special. We hope it inspires even more people who are working in property or are considering it as a career option to begin their personal and professional development.”