Variety, the Children’s Charity, held its 24th annual ‘the PROPS’ Awards at the London Hilton, Park Lane on Tuesday 12th May. A celebration of the very best in the property sector, it was a wonderful afternoon that raised over £400,000 to support the work of the charity and, in particular, for Variety’s Powered Wheelchair programme.

With over 900 guests, a packed ballroom was entertained and hosted by Martin Bayfield, a long-time supporter of Variety, who has now hosted this iconic event four times. He lent a cool and calm charm to proceedings, effortlessly taking a more comedic tone when required. Alongside Martin, Miss World 2015; Rolene Strauss, presented awards to the lucky winners, including: Sir Stuart Lipton, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Oxford Properties and British Land, who received the Development of the Year Award for 122 Leadenhall Street known as The Leadenhall Building and Nick Leslau, who received the Deal of the Year Award for the sale of Max Property to Blackstone for £448m.

Variety was delighted to have Matt King OBE, a long-term Ambassador join them for the afternoon. In 2004, Matt was seriously injured playing in his first professional rugby league match. Following his injury, Matt’s life changed completely, as he was left paralysed from his neck down and unable to breathe independently. However, he returned to his studies, gaining a First Class Honours Law degree, and now works as a trainee solicitor for a London firm.

The charity’s sincere thanks go to Matt for his support and attendance at the event, allowing guests to see just how Variety actively helps to improve the lives of sick, disabled and disadvantaged young people every day.

This generous support from the Property sector will go a long way to providing many more wheelchairs to children and young people across the UK.

Congratulations to all the winners!

‘the PROPS’ 2015 Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by The Santon Group
Sir Stuart Lipton of Lipton Rogers Developments LLP

Deal of the Year
Sponsored by The Cowell Group
Nick Leslau for the sale of Max Property to Blackstone for £448m

Property Fund of the Year
Sponsored by Zurich Insurance
Brockton Capital

Development of the Year
Sponsored by United House
Oxford Properties and British Land for 122 Leadenhall Street known as The Leadenhall Building

Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by Nationwide Securities
Teddy Sagi for the flotation of Camden Lock through the listing of Market Tech

Resi Developer of the Year
Sponsored by Lee Baron
City & Country Group

Property Lender of the Year
Sponsored by Howard Kennedy
Dragonfly Property Finance

CEO of the Year
Sponsored by Weston Homes

Young Property Person of the Year
Sponsored by Mount Anvil
Reza Merchant – The Collective

Agent of the Year
Sponsored by Generator Group
GM Real Estate

Most Promising Newcomer of the Year
Sponsored by Aston Rose
Robert Bourne – Bourne Capital

Property Communications of the Year
Sponsored by Pagefield
Cathedral Group plc