Top award for student in property competition

A University of Wolverhampton student has been named as one of the top property students in the country in a national property industry competition, the Association of Women in Property (WiP) National Student Awards.

Rosemary Cheadle, who is studying Building Surveying has taken the Midlands title. This is the second time a University of Wolverhampton student has won the regional final.

Rosemary will now represent her region at the National Final, which takes place in London on 18 September. She was named as the winner during an evening reception held at Eversheds, Birmingham on 29 March 2012 following a presentation given to WiP’s Midlands Branch by Executive Coach, Cherie Concannon.

Julia Flattery, Chairman of WiP’s Midlands Branch and Associate, at international law firm Eversheds LLP said: “The National Student Awards are now in their sixth year and have become a firm fixture on the industry and education calendar. It is a tough process for the students, who come from across the region.

“We ask them to deliver their best in front of a panel of judges, after which one is selected to go forward to the national Final, when she will compete against students from across the UK.”

“The standard this year was exceptional and this makes Rosemary’s achievement even greater. She has done incredibly well to get to this point and will, I have no doubt, find the whole experience extremely valuable as she goes forward into a career in the industry.”

Rosemary wins £300, an opportunity for work experience, free membership of the Association upon graduating and the opportunity to participate in the WiP mentoring programme whereby a mentor will support her in her early career.

She said: “I was really pleased to be put forward for this Award by my tutor but I’m absolutely amazed to have won! Having met the other girls in the regional Final, I know how tough the competition was so I’m thrilled that the judges chose me for the top prize.”

The National Student Awards are now in their sixth year. Open to female, second year students studying a Built Environment degree course, students are nominated by their Universities, hence only the very best get to this stage. The National Student Awards are this year sponsored nationally by Byrne Group and Turner & Townsend and regionally by Eversheds LLP. The 2012 Judges were Cathy Stewart of Cathy Stewart Associates (Architects), Nichola Vine of Centro, Giles Fazen of Hines UK, Bozena Benton of Robinson Low Francis and Keith Blizzard of Shakespeares.

Commenting on Rosemary, the judges said, “she does not see barriers, just opportunities”, describing her as being “very focused with an infectious enthusiasm and driven to succeed.”

The seven other regional finalists this year are:

• Anna Little, reading Geography with Planning at the University of Birmingham
• Lorena Sterkaj, reading BA (Hons) Architecture at Birmingham Institute of Art & Design
• Jelizaveta Feodorova, reading Construction Management at the Coventry University · Rachel Lunn, reading BSc (Hons) Commercial Management & Quantity Surveying at the University of Wolverhampton
• Natalie Wride, reading MEng Civil Engineering at the University of Warwick (awarded Highly Commended)
• Emma Smith, reading Architectural Design and Technology at Coventry University
• Lorraine Blanks, reading Structural Engineering with Architecture at Coventry University

The Awards:

• Recognise the talent available to the industry at the earliest possible stage
• Highlight to industry the necessity to link with universities early in the educational process
• Broaden the opportunities open to students as they progress through their university career
• Improve the knowledge of those at university on the career options available
• Improve the students’ skills to present their coursework

The National Student Awards ‘Best of the Best’ final takes place at Claridge’s in London on Tuesday 18th September, with the successful finalist winning £700 and a year’s membership of Women in Property.

The Association of Women in Property is a national organisation which was founded in 1987. With over 1,000 members and 12 regional branches it represents all disciplines within the property and construction industry and provides a forum for business opportunities, the exchanging of views, networking and personal development.

ENDS

For Media Enquiries, please contact Midlands Branch PR Contact: Emma Evans, email: ee@alliance-plan.co.uk or tel: 07872 602 711 or Vickie Warren in the University of Wolverhampton Media Relations Office on 01902 322736.