The annual International Building Press (IBP) Regional Journalism awards continued to grow in stature with a record number of entries for this year’s event, which was held at the Lowry Galleries, Salford Quays.
well on the creative and exciting sector we operate in.”
Winners from left to right Jim Hancock (Host) Lisa Wise (MEN) Ben Walker (Regeneration and Renewal) Paul Unger (Property Week) David Conn (the Guardian) Neil Tague (Insider) Gerald Bowey (IBP)
The awards now in their third year, 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.
The Awards were split into five categories with the following winners:
Best Regional Article in a National Newspaper
Winner: David Conn of the Guardian, who tackled the complex issue of regeneration through large retail development. David carefully documented the arrival of a new Tesco store in Failsworth, an economically deprived area of Oldham. The judges said David’s article was a distinctive, deeply investigative piece from nose to finish. Not afraid to handle difficult issues it provided an expansive view of large retail regeneration. Stephen Bayley of the Observer was Highly Commended for his article on the regeneration of Liverpool
Best Article in a Regional Newspaper
Jill Burdett of the Manchester Evening News was highly commended for her engaging examination of eco-homes. The judges said it was an engaging read with a highly unusual case study example, handled in a fun and interesting way.
Best Regional Article in a National Business Magazine
Winner: Paul Unger of Property Week for his revealing article on Grosvenor and Liverpool One. The judges said the article cleverly evoked the political and financial hinterland giving a fascinating first hand insight with the individual at heart.
Ben Walker of Regeneration and Renewal was highly commended for his article on the entrepreneurs behind the “madchester” movement that included the late Tony Wilson and the regeneration of Manchester.
Best Article in a Regional Business Magazine
Winner: Neil Tague of North West Business Insider for his piece on the supercasino debate. Judges said the article was a clearly structured discussion of the regenerative value of supercasinos, written in a lean and direct style with balanced analysis.
Best Commercial Supplement
Winner: Paul Unger of Property Week for his inside story on Peel Holdings, developers of media city.
The judges said it was a tightly crafted and wholly original article that gave profound insight into a business of breathtaking financial scale.
The awards were supported by a high profile, independent judging panel:
Stuart Lyell, Project Director at Allied London Properties Robert Shaw, Chief Executive, Castlewood Developments Colin Sinclair, Chief Executive of MIDAS Steve Parry, Managing Director, Neptune Developments Rupert Goddard, Design Director, Sheppard Robson Andrew Stokes, Chief Executive, Marketing Manchester Peter Lackey, Managing Director, dandara
Gerald Bowey, CEO of International Building Press comments:
“These articles serve to highlight the continuing regeneration and economic growth taking place in the North West. The high standard of journalism this year reflects
The Manchester launch of IBPs inaugural regional journalism awards scheme was judged ‘a resounding success’ by participants and sponsors alike.
Held at the truly spectacular venue of The Lowry Galleries at Salford Quays on Thursday, October 27, the awards ceremony, hosted by popular Manchester television and music personality, Tony Wilson, proved an impressive showcase for regional journalism in the North West and provided a valuable complementary event to the IBP National Journalism Awards Scheme to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel in London’s Park Lane on Thursday, November 24.
The awards, made for high quality journalism on issues primarily affecting the North West region, comprised four categories: best regional article in a national newspaper; regional article in a national business magazine; article in a regional newspaper or business magazine and articles in property supplements.
The award for best regional article in a national newspaper was won by Helen Carter of The Guardian for her article on the regeneration of East Lancashire.
The award for the best article in a Regional Newspaper/Business Magazine was won by Paul Unger, freelance journalist, for his ‘Regeneration Game’ column in North West Business Insider
magazine. In this category Larry Neild of the Liverpool Daily Post was highly commended for his article in the Post on the vision for the Baltic Triangle area of the city.
David Hayward won the award for Best Article in a National Business Magazine Writing in Construction News, for his article on the refurbishment of anchester’s Rylands Library. Heather Grieg-Smith of Property Week was also highly commended in this category for her article on regional super casinos.
David Quinn of Estates Gazette won the award for a series of articles in a Property Supplement for his Manchester Up-date covering topical issues in the Manchester property market. In this category Jill Burdett of the Manchester Evening News was also highly commended for her regular ‘Homes supplement’.
A group shot of the winners & commendations from left: Jill Burdett (Manchester Evening News), Larry Neild (Liverpool Daily Post), Paul Unger (Freelance) Heather Greig-Smith (Property Week), Host: Tony Wilson, David Quinn (Estates Gazette), Helen Carter (The Guardian), David Hayward (Construction News)
The awards were judged by a top quality regional panel comprising:
Carol Ainscow, Chairman of Artisan Holdings
Rupert Goddard, Associate Director of Aedas Architects
Mike Homer, Development Director of AMEC
Elliot Lewis-Ward, Area Manager for English Partnerships
Stuart Lyell, Project Director at Allied London Properties
Andrew Shaw, Head of Agency at CB Richard Ellis
Robert Shaw, Chief Executive Castlewood Developments
Andrew Stokes, Chief Executive of Marketing Manchester
and Tony Wilson of Granada TV
Commenting on the judging and the quality of entries, Carol Ainscow said: “Our regional media give commercial organisations in the North West a voice to try to attract further investment into our region. We are delighted to be involved in an initiative like this and to have the opportunity to recognise the excellent work the media do to inform the public of work on the built nvironment. The quality of entries was excellent.”
At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, IBP CEO, Gerald Bowey, said: “A great deal of hard work went into launching our inaugural regional awards scheme and I wish to express my warmest thanks to participants, judges, sponsors and FD Tamesis staff for their local knowledge and regional contacts which helped to make this event such a success and pave he way for a bigger and better awards scheme in 2006.”
