UCEM presents top Property Award prize to the Chief Executive

Sustainability, innovation and equality were the themes recognised at UCEM’s 35th Property Awards on Thursday 13 October.

Held at the Institute of Directors in London, the event saw the prestigious ‘Property Award’ presented to Dan Labbad, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the property industry.

Before presenting his award, Amanda Clack, Executive Director CBRE and UCEM Chair of the Board of Trustees shared how Dan has been an active and passionate advocate for sustainability from early on in his career and is widely recognised for being a champion of change with his work around diversity, equity and inclusion.

Amanda also expressed how Dan aims to use his role at The Crown Estate to give back.

Commenting on his award Dan said, “It’s a huge honour to be recognised for playing a small part in creating a more sustainable and inclusive property industry. I’d like to thank UCEM for the award and all of those who have contributed to these efforts along the way. However, I am also humbled and concerned by the collective challenge we still have ahead in tackling these important issues. We must all continue to play our part, drawing on diverse views to ensure we deliver lasting and sustainable change.”

Dan was amongst 100 invited guests and nominees to celebrate the work of UCEM students, alumni and research projects within the built environment.

Earlier in the proceedings, Nisha Chavda, a MSc Construction Management graduate from 2020, was announced as the winner of the Alumni Award. Now a Senior Project Manager at Pick Everard, Nisha was commended for her work as a

role model and mentor to new entrants to the world of work, building from her personal experiences as an Asian woman joining the industry.

Remarking on her accomplishment, Nisha reflected on how being nominated gave her the jolt she needed to sit down and reflect on her achievements saying, “Being a perpetual believer in never having done enough, one can become weary but this much needed pause was refreshing. I’m glad the work I’m doing is making an impact somehow, and I’m grateful that part of the journey so far has been with UCEM.”

Peter Maxwell, Director of Design at London Legacy Development Corporation who was awarded a distinction for his MBA, picked up the UCEM Academic Excellence Award, stating he was really humbled to be awarded and that it was amazing to be in amongst such a strong field of other applicants.