Architecture students take top prizes in Women in Property Scotland Student Awards | Project Scotland

THREE architecture students from the universities of Strathclyde, Edinburgh and Dundee have been announced as the regional winners at the Women in Property Central Scotland and Northern Scotland Student Awards.

The Central Scotland Awards, sponsored by Avison Young, BakerHicks and Tilbury Douglas, and Northern Scotland event by Kier Group and Stronachs LLP, provided employers in the property and construction sector with a platform to engage with some of the most promising undergraduates in the built environment sector.

Caitlin Griffiths, who is studying BSc Hons Architectural Studies at the University of Strathclyde, was described by the judges as ‘having a good understanding of the brief’ and giving ‘great story telling and great responses’.

Phoebe Vendil, studying MA Architecture at the University of Edinburgh, was described as ‘engaging during and after the presentation’ and was praised for her ‘confidence, thoughts on key important topics and impressive volunteering’.

Rachael Livingstone, meanwhile, is studying Architecture at the University of Dundee. She was described by judges as ‘an exceptional powerhouse, engaging, articulate and passionate, with an amazing skill to connect to people’.

Jillian Love, chair of Women in Property Central Scotland and marketing executive at Gardiner & Theobald, and Catherine Dryburgh, chair of Women in Property Northern Scotland and strategic land manager at Barratt & David Wilson Homes, North Scotland, were both delighted for Caitlin, Phoebe and Rachael, stressing the importance of supporting and recognising local talent.

They emphasised the ongoing collaboration between universities and businesses in the region to nurture skilled professionals in the face of a persistent skills shortage, and gender imbalance in the industry.

The Women in Property Student Awards programme, sponsored nationally by Amazon, Bouygues UK, Savills and tp bennett, aims to showcase top-performing built environment students and highlight the diverse career opportunities within the industry.

The national final, on Thursday September 19 in London, will see Caitlin, Phoebe and Rachael each compete against 13 other students from across the UK for the prestigious national award. The winner will be announced at the Best of the Best Dinner at Claridge’s later that evening.