Women in Property South Wales
Student Award Dinner
Thursday 1 June 2017
On 1 June 2017, South Wales Women in Property celebrated achievement and announced the winner of the 2017 Women in Property South Wales Branch Student Award Dinner at The Angel Hotel, Cardiff.
A national property award is now in sight for Gabrielle Wheeler, who was the winner. Gabrielle competed against four other regional finalists studying built environment degree courses.
Gabrielle studies Project Management and Surveying at the University of South Wales, where she will soon complete her second year, whilst undertaking a new position at Network Rail. She was nominated by her lecturer, John Ryan Senior Lecturer School of Engineering University of South Wales who said, “Gabrielle is down to earth and as soon as the judges gave the comments about the winner I knew instinctively it was her.”
Nicola Jones, Chairman of the WiP South Wales branch said, “These Awards seek out the most talented students studying built environment courses, which can include planning to surveying, architecture to engineering, project management to property finance, so a broad spectrum of disciplines.
We aim to raise the bar, by challenging the students to really evaluate their subject, how they hope to progress towards a career and help them develop the skills they will need along the way. All this year’s finalists have done really well and our congratulations go to Gabrielle. We wish her the very best for the national final.”
Gabrielle Wheeler said, “I can’t believe it, I am stunned, thank you to my lecturer and the judges.”
WiP is grateful to national sponsors Bouygues, Cushman & Wakefield and Linden Homes, regional sponsors Cambria Consulting, Gleeds and the RICS and to the judging panel:
Leigh Hughes of Bouygues, Jonathan Smart of Cushman & Wakefield, Nicola Jones of Gleeds and WiP Regional Chairman and Wynne James of Cambria.
Judge Leigh Hughes said, “We had to make a very tough decision, because all the contenders were of such a high standard but, ultimately, Gabrielle just had the edge, that X factor some might say. This is a great opportunity for the students to test themselves in front of industry professionals; and, as judges, we are able to look out for superb potential employees. The Awards also help the Universities to fulfil one of their top objectives…student employability.”
Alongside Gabrielle, the following students reached the regional final: Fatima Moreno Viera - Cardiff University who won the Highly Commended Award; Lauren Turner, University of South Wales; Ffion Brown University of South Wales and Isla Thomas University of South Wales.
Gabrielle wins £300 and a trophy. She will represent South Wales at the National Best of the Best final and black tie Awards Dinner, which will be held on 20th September at Claridge’s in London, when she competes against 12 other students from across the UK.
Many thanks for everyone who attended the highly successful event. Women in Property run various professional and social events throughout the year. Check our Events Page so you don’t miss out.