London Property Management of the Year 2010-11

Block Insure Property Management Awards

PMA AWARDS The Block Insure News on the Block Property Management 2010-11 Introducing the winners The winners of the Block Insure Property Management Awards 2010-11 were revealed at a glittering award ceremony held at Lords Cricket Ground and hosted by celebrity, Dominic Holland. The BLOCK INSURE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AWARDS recognise the excellence and professionalism of all specialists working in this industry both at an individual and company level. The Award categories demonstrate the breadth in skills that the industry demands and the important influence third party agents play in ensuring services are delivered effectively.

The Awards are judged by a panel of property experts representing the different stakeholder interests in a block of flats : George Hibberd (Associate Director, RICS Professional Group), Bob Smytherman (Chairman, Federation of Private Residents Associations) and Ian Fletcher (Director, British Property Federation). Many of the biggest names in UK property management attended the sold-out event. LONDON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: SLC Solicitors WINNER: Ringley HIGHLY COMMENDED: Crabtree Property Management and Granville & Co. FINALISTS: Granville and Co, Rendall & Rittner, Crabtree, Chainbow, Mainstay and Ringley Established in 1997, Ringley is a property services company that provides consumers and business clients alike with a comprehensive range of property solutions including surveys, valuations, property/facilities management and sales and lettings.

With a head-office in Camden Town, London, NW1, Ringleys managed portfolio covers 250 blocks in England. Ringley manages just under 10,000 properties and spends over £7 million each year on maintenance and refurbishment, preferring to restore than replace. Ringley particularly impressed the judges by their commitment to the end user, their innovation (particularly their simplification of the lease) and their user friendly website. REGIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: DEACON SERVICE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL WINNER: Premier Estates HIGHLY COMMENDED: Cotswold Property Management Services and RMG. FINALISTS: Cotswold Property Management Services, Premier Estates, Amax Estates. Regalty Estates, Curry & Partners and RMG. Premier Estates was established in 1998 as a result of a management buyout of a private property management department of a small housing association.

Good Communication

Since then, the company has grown organically and are now managing 275 developments comprising approximately 11,000 properties. Premier Estates particularly impressed the judges by their proactive transparency in avoiding conflicts of interest. One RMC director commented they are made to feel confident that all issues are in the hands of professionals and another complimented their good communication: you respond to voice mails/emails promptly, politely, and with a sensible degree of common sense. LONDON PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: Shared dish WINNER: Maxine Fothergill of AMAX Estates HIGHLY COMMENDED: Christopher Burbridge of Pembertons and Richard Engel of Brickman Yale FINALISTS: Maxine Fothergill of AMAX Estates, Christopher Burbridge of Pembertons, Richard Engel of Brickman Yale, Gail Preston of Chainbow and Richard Marnell of Consort Maxine Fothergill is the Managing Director of AMAX Estates, an independently owned company specialising in block management and other property services in Kent and the Greater London area. Previously, Maxine has received public recognition by the police and the local council by being presented with the Keeping Bexley Safe Award in 2009.

In 2010, she was elected a local ward councillor. Maxine is an experienced and well-qualified property manager who impressed the judges as a problem solver and by her resilience in combating anti social behaviour using limited resources and making best use of statutory bodies and other organisations. REGIONAL PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: SLC Solicitors WINNER: Elizabeth McDougall of Cotswold Property Management Services HIGHLY COMMENDED: William Marshall of Adair Paxton and Ian Lawson of Grainger Plc. FINALISTS: Maxine Fothergill of Amax Estates, Elizabeth McDougall of Cotswold Property Management Services, William Marshall of Adair Paxton, Alan Williamson of Regalty Estates, Louise Mullis of RMG Group and Ian Lawson of Grainger Plc.

Gloucestershire based Cotswold Property Management Services deal with residential and commercial property management, from apartment blocks or private residential estates where the management of communal areas is required and a service charge applicable, to managing all types of commercial property. Elizabeth McDougall pipped her rivals to the post by impressing the judges with her ability to work with RMC directors and involve them in agreeing planned maintenance and management of reserves. She also demonstrated a real commitment to getting the best insurance deals, and was praised by her customers for demonstrate high level of professionalism and competence.

BLOCK INSURER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: JJ Homes WINNER: 1st Sure HIGHLY COMMENDED: Deacon FINALISTS: 1st Sure, Deacon and Kingsborough Insurance Niche flats insurance specialist 1st Sure is aiming to raise the bar for the insurance rights of flat owners, whilst recognising the contractual complexity of the flats insurance market. Although relatively new to the flats insurance market, their parent company, Midway Insurance Services, is well known in the sector with significant market share and can boast six insurance industry awards. Their outstanding reputation for excellent customer service has been embedded in the 1st Sure business culture such that the judges were very impressed with the way 1st Sure tailor made their policies to specifically suit RMC policy holders.