Wexford businesses are encouraged to submit for prestigious awards

BUSINESSES throughout County Wexford are being encouraged to enter this year’s KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Awards which are aimed at recognising excellence within the Irish property sector.

There are 11 different award categories being contested, however, the organisers have highlighted two significant areas for consideration: the Community Benefit Award and the Regional Excellence Award.

The former award will be judged under two areas of investment: Civic Projects and Initiatives with in excess of €100,000 investment, and local projects with up to €100,000 investment.

Projects that involve the community reusing, refurbishing or preserving historic buildings, building new sites, or designing public realm schemes will be considered for nomination.

The Community Benefit Project Award will be awarded to an initiative that has delivered positive benefits to its community.

The Regional Excellence Award (REA) will recognise excellence achieved by a firm or a project working within any of the property disciplines including: architects, contractors, designers, planners, residential & commercial agents, and surveyors.

Significantly, nominees for the REA must be practicing or based outside of the greater Dublin region.

The awards `initiative is now in its fourth year and the ceremony itself regularly attracts around 800 industry stakeholders from across the country.

The Irish property industry is experiencing growth and anyone who feels their work is setting the standard is encouraged to enter.

The 11 different categories are reflective of the fact that the sector is now very diverse in terms of the types of businesses operating within it.

Judging for the competition is conducted by 15 leading experts from industry, Government and professional bodies and there are specific adjudication parameters used by the judges when assessing the entries.

In particular they will be looking for projects that go above and beyond the normal, demonstrate measurable improvement, reflect innovation through approach or technology, appreciate the needs and satisfaction of clients, contribute to the local community and demonstrate excellence in strategic coordination.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s competition, Jim Clery, Tax Partner and Head of Real Estate at KPMG, said: ‘Real estate remains a vital part of Ireland’s business infrastructure and recognising excellence plays a key role in promoting the value of the sector to our economy.’

‘We will be particularly interested to look at initiatives in these areas,’ he said.

Enda Gunnell, Chief Executive Officer at Pinergy, said ‘the common characteristic of each of the winners is excellence’ while Sean Twomey, Partner, Head of Property and Construction at Eugene F. Collins, said the awards: ‘Are now a key fixture in recognising the importance and excellence of all stakeholders in the property and construction industry.’

To enter log onto www.propertyexcellenceawards.com.