IBP Regional Journalism Awards 2008
Journalists praised by the International Building Press
for outstanding writing.
Awards recognise excellence in coverage of the North West’s construction and property communities.
The International Building Press (IBP) held its fourth Annual Regional Journalism Awards at the Lowry Galleries in Salford Quays on 23 October 2008. Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council and Gerald Bowey, chief executive officer of the IBP hosted the ceremony.
Introduced in 2004 the IBP Regional Awards are designed to showcase construction and property journalism at its very best, rewarding some of the finest articles written about the North West in the past year. There are five categories in total which take in national, regional and trade specific publications.
Sir Howard Bernstein addressed the audience, made up of real estate professionals, before presenting the awards, talking about recent regeneration milestones in Greater Manchester and the current TIF bid to tackle congestion.
The winners are as follows:
Best article in a national newspaper: James Wilson, The Financial Times
James’ piece ‘Scaling New Heights’ argued that Manchester deserves its reputation as the UK’s second city, but suggested occupier demand was starting to slow.
The judges said it was:
“A clearly constructed report that delved into Manchester’s expansive property market… bursting with credible quotes and detailed references”
Best article in a regional newspaper: Simon Binns, Crain’s Manchester Business
Simon’s piece asked ‘Why Stay City didn’t stay long at Issa Quay”. It was just one of a number of stories he broke about the BSC Group this year regarding its poor health and safety record, amongst other issues.
The judges said it was:
“Honest and definitively sharp, this article left no stone unturned.”
Journalists praised by the International Building Press
for outstanding writing.
Awards recognise excellence in coverage of the North West’s construction and property communities.
Best article in a national magazine: Deidre Hipwell, Property Week
Deirdre wrote about Barclays, one of Britain’s biggest property lenders, at the heart of a row in 2008’s European Capital of Culture.
The judges said it was:
“A superbly evidenced investigation into Liverpool’s private sector housing… well-researched and constructed.”
Best article in a regional magazine: Neil Tague, North West Business Insider
Neil’s article covered a North West court case in which a managing director of a major property company was prosecuted under the Company Directors Disqualification Act in 2007.
The judges said it was:
“An all-together short and sensitively dealt-with piece.”
Best article in a commercial property supplement: Mark Shepherd, Property Week
Mark produced a feature piece, ‘Manchester’s Broken Dream’, in which he discussed how the “regeneration supernova came crashing down to earth” – covering the BBC’s selection of Salford over Manchester, Barclaycard’s decision not to move into Spinningfields and the current wrangle over transport and a potential for a congestion charge.
The judges said it was:
“An outstandingly detailed and factual analytical property article, holding appeal to readers outside the North West region.”
Best Northwest Property Supplement
Was presented to Denise Chevin, editor at Building magazine in recognition of the stand-alone Liverpool issue of Building published in January 2008. ‘The Many Sides of Liverpool’ examined the city, the people who built it, have written about it, loved it and hated it in the context of its capital of culture accolade. The judges described the special issue as:
“An engaging and fascinating publication offering invaluable and accessible news.”
Gerald Bowey, CEO of the IBP said:
These articles serve to highlight the continuing regeneration and economic growth taking place in the North West, and this year we introduced a whole range of new publications into the Awards scheme, which reflects well on the creative and exciting sector we operate in.”