Excellence in Property Awards
The Australian Property Institute Excellence in Property Awards program is designed to recognise both individuals and organisations in the public and private sector who are leading the way in the property industry. A judging panel of distinguished industry leaders is brought together to critically assess all entries in their individual categories. Find out more.
2020 Excellence in Property Award Winners
Winner: JLL
Sponsor: Herron Todd White
JLL has introduced a committee supporting all aspects of Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. They have rolled out programs across the business such as Mentoring, Executive Coaching, Peer Group Reviews, an Emerging Leaders Programme and a Back to Work Programme.
In 2018, JLL implemented a pilot inclusion dashboard that captured the values and feelings of personnel across the region. This survey is now conducted annually to help measure ongoing success.
JLL celebrates diversity through a range of events, such as participating in the Midsumma Pride March, and hosting a Diwali celebration in every city nationally. They have also established a Wellness Hub, training programs and Reconciliation Action Plan. JLL has partnered with the Job Access Organisation and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to assist in skill development and inclusion in the community.
Winner: Valuer General NSW
Sponsor: Marsh Insurance
Last summer, bushfires burned seven percent of New South Wales – over 54,000 square kilometres. For comparison, that would be more than three quarters of Tasmania.
Normally land values are determined using sales evidence. But with potentially limited sales, how do you value land after such a calamity?
Valuer General New South Wales tackled the problem innovatively.
A special team reviewed bushfire-affected land over time, analysing sales trends before and after bushfire events. From this, they developed an evidence-based matrix to determine land values without recent comparable sales.
The new framework considers the prior demand in a fire-affected area, coupled with the level of fire-damaged properties in that area.
All Valuer General New South Wales valuation contractors are now using this matrix to work out 1 July 2020 fire-affected land values in the absence of sales evidence.
Winner: James Paver
Sponsor: Griffin Legal
James is the Managing Director of leading property development, investment and services firm, Avenor. Since establishing the company in 2016 with his business partner, James has employed over 25 people and has positioned Avenor as an industry leader.
James places great value on corporate social responsibility. By rallying support from industry peers, Avenor has been a long-time supporter of the Wipeout Dementia Property Surf Competition, which has raised over $1.3m for dementia research.
Among other major projects, he has successfully driven a 5-year campaign to establish an innovation precinct for Sydney, culminating in the successful establishment of the Sydney Innovation and Technology Precinct at Central Station.
James has been involved with API Young Property Professionals initiatives since 2010 and continues supporting the API as a leader in the industry.
Winner: Herron Todd White – National Office Team
Sponsor: The University of Melbourne
The Herron Todd White National Office Team has worked behind the scenes with the API and Residential Valuation Industry group members to successfully issue an addendum to the ABFI Residential Standing Instructions.
This accomplishment allows for the new Contactless Inspection tool to be used in the field by the valuer. They work with the occupant to gather all the relevant information to complete a full API PropertyPRO report.
The Herron Todd White Contactless Inspection Tool is a mobile-friendly web application that guides the occupant through a step-by-step process of collecting information about the property, eliminating the need for the valuer to go inside.
In little over 4 months Herron Todd White has completed over 970 remote inspections using the tool, remaining compliant and keeping the workforce and community safe during these uncertain times.
Winner: Aleisha Brookes
Sponsor: Preston Rowe Paterson
Aleisha has 21 years’ experience in property valuations. She specialised in residential valuations for over a decade as a Valuer Area Manager at JLL. In 2017, she was appointed as the Risk Director, managing the Valuation Advisory Quality Assurance team.
Aleisha is a Fellow member with the API and has held numerous volunteer roles since 2008 including the CPD Committee, State and National Organising Committee and is a current State Council Member. Throughout her career, she has shared knowledge and guidance to numerous assistant valuers on their pathway to becoming RPVs or CPVs.
Aleisha was accepted this year into JLL’s Leadership Acceleration Network, an 18-month program to assist with the facilitation of the Global Valuation Advisory transformation.
In her own time, she is also an Assistant Member of the Queensland Valuers Registration Board.
Winner: Tyrone Hodge
Sponsor: Valuecorp
Tyrone has a passion for property and technology that spans a 30-year career. Tyrone has championed change in the sector having driven the disruption of real estate advertising and adoption of the Internet in the mid ‘90s. Most recently, he has played a global role in a team focused on valuation transformation and technology at JLL.
Tyrone has served the property industry for many years volunteering his time on various committees. He has also assisted others by sponsoring JLL staff in the Women in Property initiative, the Mentor program and the Diversity and Inclusion committee. He has been an active member of the API since 2008, including serving as NSW President, National President and Chair of the Board.
Tyrone is passionate about the valuation profession and about building a sustainable and relevant future for everyone involved. He embraces change, diversity and technology and believes that if we get these issues right, we will create an even better property profession.
2020 Award Finalists
The Australian Property Institute has announced on 9 September 2020 the finalists of its 2020 Excellence in Property Awards, celebrating outstanding achievement in the property profession.
Australian Property Institute CEO Amelia Hodge said the entries received this year were reflective of a diverse and innovative property industry.
We were excited to receive such high calibre entries for the awards. The results were particularly close in a number of categories, making it a very difficult decision for the judges.
The finalists of the 2020 Excellence in Property Awards are:
- ICD Property – People Project Team
- JLL
- m3property
The Workplace Diversity and Culture Award, sponsored by Herron Todd White, recognises leadership and excellence from an organisation or government department in promoting diversity and creating a progressive workplace culture for the advancement of the property sector.
Gary Brinkworth, Chief Executive Officer at Herron Todd White said the organisation was proud to sponsor the 2020 API Excellence in Property Workplace Diversity and Culture award.
Congratulations to the ICD Property – People Project Team, JLL and m3property for being recognised as finalists in this important category. Promoting workplace diversity and creating a progressive culture are key elements to building a stronger future through innovative leadership and the broadening of shared experiences. Best of luck to the 2020 finalists and thank you to the API for continuing to recognise and promote excellence in our industry.
- CBRE – Residential Valuations PropertyPRO Project Team
- m3property
- Valuer General NSW
The Valuation Team of the Year Award, sponsored by Marsh Insurance, recognises excellence in the application of valuation standards and a commitment to best practice across a valuation team.
“As proud partners of the API and appointed intermediary of API Valcover, we are delighted to be sponsoring the 2020 Excellence in Property Awards. The program provides a great platform and opportunity for industry partners, companies and individuals to come together and celebrate those who are making waves in the property industry,” said Gary Ward, Principal – Infinity at Marsh Insurance.
Marsh has selected the valuation team of the year award to recognise the talent, commitment and elite professionalism of industry-leading valuation teams across Australia. We look to offer our ongoing support for the valuation industry and to continue to arrange professional indemnity cover that’s aimed at creating a more stable insurance environment for API Members.
- Kate Elkington, m3property (VIC)
- Donald Johnson, Opteon (WA)
- James Paver, Avenor (NSW)
- Jack Tronson, CBRE (VIC)
The Young Professional of the Year Award, sponsored by Griffin Legal, recognises outstanding contribution and professional excellence of a young property professional.
Carina Zeccola, Managing Partner at Griffin Legal, said the organisation is “proud to support the Australian Property Institute’s Excellence in Property Awards because we recognise the value of attention to detail and quality in all professional industries.”
“Griffin Legal is a company helmed by innovative leaders. We sponsor the Young Professional of the Year award category because we recognise the potential of young people, and the potential of their new ideas and innovations. As a nationally operating law firm, the Griffin Legal team are specialists at Property Law and Conveyancing services. Sponsoring this award promotes our Property Law profile and our commitment to integrity and excellence in property.”
- Herron Todd White – National Office Team
- MAB Corporation
- Preston Rowe Paterson Australasia
The Innovation in Property Award, sponsored by The University of Melbourne, recognises innovation from an individual, team or organisation in the property sector.
- Lisa Billington, Opteon (VIC)
- Aleisha Brookes, JLL (QLD)
- Caitlin Harper, CBRE (WA)
- Jacqueline Reiser, CBRE (QLD)
The Lesley Bennett Women in Property Award, sponsored by Preston Rowe Paterson, is named after the Australian Property Institute’s first female member, and recognises leadership, professionalism and outstanding property community contribution.
Greg Sugars FAPI, National Director and CEO of Preston Rowe Paterson, said “Preston Rowe Paterson is delighted to once again be the sponsors of the Lesley Bennett-Women in Property Award.
Valuations has, in the past, been a male dominated industry and we are keen to assist with the push for diversity and gender equality in the industry.
As corporate signatories to the Women’s Empowerment Principles via the United Nations, PRP felt this was the logical award for us to be involved in. We wish all the wonderful finalists the best of luck.”
- Duncan Cameron, Opteon (WA)
- Walter Leo Dobrow (NSW)
- Tyrone Hodge, JLL (NSW)
The Colonel Alfred Clifford Catt Award, sponsored by Valuecorp, named in honour of the first President of the Commonwealth Institute of Valuers (the Australian Property Institute’s original name), and recognises contribution and commitment to the property profession and the community of the Australian Property Institute.
Robert Hecek LFAPI, Managing Director of Valuecorp, said “We are proud to sponsor the Colonel Alfred Clifford Catt Award in 2020. Colonel A. C. Catt was the first API President in 1926-1928. This has been an unforeseen year of change and the global pandemic has changed the way API members work globally and will in the future. It is important to remember the great and humble beginnings of our great Institute and the visionary people (such as Colonel A. C. Catt) who set the foundation for an industry which is today the world’s leading home for property professionals.”
“Congratulations to all the finalists and thank you to all of our sponsors for your support. The winners will be announced shortly and presented at the next opportunity when it is safe to do so,” said Ms Hodge.
API 2020 Excellence in Property Awards Categories and Criteria
This award recognises leadership and excellence from an organisation or government department in promoting diversity and creating a progressive workplace culture for the advancement of the property sector.
Eligibility
Open to organisations and government departments.
Criteria
Applications must address the following criteria:
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity in the workplace and the industry, evidenced by the establishment of programs or policies showing measurable change
- Demonstrated commitment to improving standards of practice within the organisation and in the wider profession through ongoing development of staff
- Demonstrated commitment to the creation of a positive workplace culture which helps to attract/retain staff and gives back to the community
This award recognises excellence in the application of valuation standards and a commitment to best practice across a valuation team.
Eligibility
Open to a team whose primary function is in valuations.
Criteria
Applications must address the following criteria:
- Demonstrated commitment to achieving best practice in valuation practice
- Implementation of quality management systems resulting in measurable improvements in customer/client satisfaction and high-quality outcomes
This award recognises outstanding contribution and professional excellence of a young property professional.
Eligibility
Open to an individual under the age of 35 (as of 31 December 2020).
Criteria
Applications must address the following criteria:
- Demonstrated consistently high standard of professional excellence, ethics, and dedication to the property industry
- Demonstrated personal contribution to the API community of Young Property Professionals, as an active volunteer, advocate and role model
This award recognises innovation from an individual, team or organisation in the property sector.
Eligibility
Open to an individual, team or organisation.
Criteria
Applications must address the following criteria:
- Development and implementation of an innovative project, product, technology or system
- Demonstrated benefit of the project, product, technology or system to the property industry as a whole and/or the community
This Award, named after the Australian Property Institute’s first female member, recognises leadership, professionalism and outstanding property community contribution.
Leslie Bennett graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1961 and was admitted as the first female Associate of the Institute on 7 June 1962. She was employed in the Real Estate Office of the Victorian Railways and after graduation was made a staff valuer.
Eligibility
Open to a female member of the Australian Property Institute
Criteria
Applications must address the following criteria:
- Demonstrated leadership in the property industry
- Contribution to the property profession and community
This Award, named in honour of the first President of the Commonwealth Institute of Valuers (the Australian Property Institute’s original name), recognises contribution and commitment to the property profession and the community of the Australian Property Institute.
Eligibility
Open to a current or past member of the Australian Property Institute (may be awarded posthumously).
Criteria
Applications must address the following criteria:
- Demonstrated commitment to the vision, purpose and strategic goals of the Australian Property Institute
- Personal commitment to the property profession and/or to the Australian Property Institute as a volunteer, advocate and role model
- Demonstrated service to the property sector and/or the Australian Property Institute
Meet our previous Excellence in Property Award Winners
The winners of the Excellence in Property Awards were announced 24 October 2019 at the National Property Conference + 10th WAVO Congress.
| 2019 Award Categories and Sponsors | 2019 Award Winners |
|---|---|
| Workplace Diversity and Culture Award Sponsored by Australian Property Institute Valuers Limited | NAB Property Services Group |
| Valuation Team of the Year Sponsored by m3property | Savills |
| Young Professional of the Year Valuation Team of the Year Sponsored by Opteon | Celeste Orange, Westlink Consulting |
| Innovation in Property Award Sponsored by The University of Melbourne | CBRE Digital Innovation Team |
| The Lesley Bennett Women in Property Award Sponsored by Preston Rowe Paterson | Jacqui Bayles, Herron Todd White |
| The Colonel Alfred Clifford Catt Award Sponsored by Valuecorp | Greg Clarke, McGees Property Brisbane |
The Australian Property Institute announced the inaugural winners of the revised Excellence in Property Awards at the API National Property Conference on 2 November 2018.
| 2018 Award Categories and Sponsors | 2018 Award Winners |
|---|---|
| Workplace Diversity and Culture Award Sponsored by Opteon | Genworth Australia |
| Valuation Team of the Year Sponsored by Maddocks | Herron Todd White New South Wales, North Coast Commercial Team |
| Young Professional of the Year Sponsored by Griffin Legal | Jasmin Poyzer |
| Innovation in Property Award Sponsored by Bond University | JLL for their Melbourne Mapping Project |
| The Lesley Bennett Women in Property Award Sponsored by WBP Group | Sandra Peachey |
| The Colonel Alfred Clifford Catt Award Sponsored by CBRE | Greg Preston |
