A North-east student was announced the winner of a prestigious award at a national property industry competition held in Aberdeen recently.

Architecture student Stephanie Else, from the University of Dundee, was crowned the winner of the Northern Scotland Women in Property Student Awards at a ceremony in Carden Church.

The award, which is open to female students in their third year of studying a Built Environment course at university, celebrates their talent and ambition.

Judging for the award was undertaken in March by a panel of industry experts including Ian Jessiman of Aberdeen Harbour Board, the joint sponsor of the regional award, and Willie Lippe of William Lippe Architects who assessed the students on a number of key criteria.


A presentation was also delivered by judge Ian Jessiman who relayed his experience of being involved in the 6th year of the awards.

Ian said: "I am very impressed with the high calibre of the students who entered the awards. The competition was very tough and I am certain that all who entered will go on to have very fulfilling careers."

Planning Consultant at Ryden and Chairman of Women in Property Northern Scotland Natasha Douglas, said: "Stephanie is extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable about both her project and chosen field. She fought off strong competition to win the award which she is deserving of. It is evident that Stephanie has the aspiration to succeed within the industry and the motivation to achieve her aspirations. I have no doubt that we will be hearing a lot more about her in the future."

The National Student Awards are this year sponsored nationally by Byrne Group and Turner & Townsend.

Paul Salmon of Byrne Group, said: "We have been involved in these Awards for the past five years and the quality of the students keeps on improving. There is still a real imbalance of women to men in the property and construction industry – women represent just 15% of the workforce - so Byrne Group is delighted to support the Association of Women in Property to help encourage young women to pursue careers in this sector and go on to become our future business leaders."

(GK)