Eunice John, a Leeds Beckett University student, has won the top prize in the 2019 Women in Property National Student Awards. Studying Architectural Technology, Eunice triumphed over 13 other national finalists and 137 regional contenders in the annual competition which celebrates the best of the best built environment degree students from across the UK.
The National Student Awards highlight to industry the necessity to link with Universities early in the education process and also improve the students’ knowledge of the career options available to them. Many secure work placements as a direct result of competing in the Awards, which often translate into permanent positions upon graduation.
The Awards programme runs from March through to July incorporating the regional judging and awards events, after which the 14 national finalists go forward to a final judging panel, held on the morning of the awards dinner, which is held annually at Claridge’s. Judges from the three national sponsors, Bouygues UK, Linden Homes and Savills join the panel, alongside the National Chairman of Women in Property, Mandy St John Davey.
Mandy said, “I’m sure I speak for my fellow judges, in fact for all our regional judging panels too, when I say what an honour and an inspiration it has been to meet the young women who compete in these Awards. They have a level of such professionalism and a hunger to learn and develop, which is exactly what the industry thrives on. We wish them all well but our particular congratulations go to Eunice who, this year, had the edge.”
Eunice was described by the judges as being “very grounded, genuine, a very warm individual. We were struck by her passion and humility, she has ‘the X Factor’, a can-do attitude and will make an amazing ambassador for women in property and construction.”
Eunice said “I am so extremely grateful for the amazing opportunities and people that I have met as a result of this journey with Women in Property that started back in December last year – it has been such an insightful and inspiring time and has made me more conscious and active about the future of my career and of those around me.
“It is an absolute pleasure to represent Yorkshire and Women in Property going forward and I hope to be a promising ambassador for everyone and anyone! Thank you to the organisation, all the sponsors, judges and Leeds Beckett University that made it possible with all their support.”
Women in Property is grateful for the ongoing commitment and support of our national sponsors, Bouygues UK, Linden Homes and Savills and, regionally, Andrew Scott, Christopher Smith Associates, Curtins, ISG, Hydrock, Oberlanders Architects, RISE and Willmott Dixon.
In addition to Eunice John, the thirteen 2019 national finalists are:
Midlands
Charlotte Ripley, Loughborough, Architectural Engineering & Design Management
Rasha Shrourou, Wolverhampton, Architecture
Central Scotland
Jessica McGinniss, Heriot Watt, Architecture
Northern Scotland
Jennifer Laffan, Robert Gordon, Architecture
North West
Rosie Mead, Liverpool, Town & Regional Planning
South East
Emma Buxton, Oxford Brookes, Real Estate Management
Ruth Carlson, Surrey, Civil Engineering
Lily Dixon, Kingston, Construction Management
Lauren Webster, London South Bank, Architectural Technology
South Wales
Sophie Bowyer, South Wales, Project Management Surveying
South West
Amy Menzel, Bristol, Civil Engineering
Emily Hacking, Exeter, Civil Engineering
Yorkshire & North East
Weronika Pawlowska, Sheffield, Civil Engineering