NOVEMBER 23 2017 l Belfast Telegraph
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cGUINNESS Fleck won the Residential Lettings Agency of the Year Award sponsored by TLT. Director Steven McGuinness was presented with the award by Sarah Ewing, Legal Director at TLT. He said: “We were absolutely delighted to win Residential Lettings Agency of the Year award. “It is fantastic for the team to be recognised for the hard work they put in to manage hundreds of properties on behalf of our landlords across Northern Ireland. “We take this responsibility very seriously and are proud to have received this award and also to be highly commended in the Residential Estate Agency Sole Agency category.” The company’s entry encompassed its lettings, management and block management departments. The judges were impressed by the firm’s growth over the years and the high standard of service it provides to clients. Judge Daryl McIntosh commented: “The extraordinary level of service provided to their clients’ needs has been evidenced. “Investment in the staff by regular training and qualification in a currently unregulated sector is praiseworthy as is the management’s commitment to having a hands on approach to all the day to day issues within the agency.” The philosophy at McGuinness Fleck is one of marginal gains. It is a concept used in many elite sports with incredible success and one which the firm believes in passionately. It is about ensuring that every single aspect of the business and its service is as good as it possibly can be. It is the company’s belief and experience that tiny improvements in a great many areas add up to significant improvement in overall performance.
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HE award for Young Architect of the Year sponsored by RTU went to Niall Magennis of White Ink Architects. Niall was presented with his award by David McIlroy and Daniel McIlroy, Directors of RTU. Niall said: “I am delighted to have been awarded Young Architect of the Year 2017. “It is very rewarding to have my hard work and dedication to both the practice and profession recognised with this prestigious accolade — undoubtedly it is a highlight of my career to date. “I have already been congratulated by a number of clients and project teams involved in the projects I am working on in GB. This has given me a huge boost of confidence and I am very proud to be an ambassador for the NI construction and property industry both in NI and further afield. “I am indebted to White Ink Architects for their continued support and the opportunity to lead a number of fantastic projects across the UK. “This award is testament to their approach and dedication to mentoring and teaching the students and young architects within the practice, helping them fulfil their potential as architects, and in turn ensuring that through knowledge transfer and continual professional development, the practice can continue to deliver an excellent service and ultimately, fantastic projects.” Niall has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the profession since starting with the company in 2010 as a student on placement while studying for a First Class Honours Degree in Architecture at Queen’s University. Over the next four years he continued to study for a Masters which he passed with distinction and a Certif-
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2017 Belfast Telegraph Property Awards in association with
Law Commission to bring in guidelines on Multi Unit Developments for conveyancing solicitors. Alex Fleck is widely recognised as the authoritative voice of Block Managements in Northern Ireland. The company’s business model concentrates on managing large blocks and it manages most of the large developments in Belfast, including Victoria Square, Queen’s Square, Bass Buildings, St John’s Wharf and Stranmillis Wharf among many others.
Pamela Ballantine is pictured with Sarah Ewing, Legal Director at TLT who presented Steven McGuinness from McGuinness Fleck with the Residential Lettings Agency of the Year Award Ensuring staff buy into the philosophy is key to its success and to this end there are clear and regular communications from directors and heads of departments reinforcing it and what it is designed to achieve. Team bonding activities are a regular occurrence and as part of the company’s policy on working as a team, everyone in the office included directors and heads of department, commits to answering the phone within three rings. The Lettings department has enjoyed impressive growth over the last year with letting fees in the year to date increased by 127% on previous years. The company’s focus was on gener-
icate of Professional Practice, which he achieved in 2014, all the while continuing to make significant advances in his career working on numerous projects across the UK. Schemes included hotel, credentials, office, mixed use and commercial ranging in value from between £1.2m and £55m. Niall was involved in every stage from inception through to completion of the projects. It was also a busy time in his personal life — he got engaged and married in April 2015, followed by the arrival of his first child in late 2016, just as he completed the purchase of his first home. As the number of schemes taken on by the company has risen dramatically, Niall’s role has also changed from assisting to leading projects and presenting directly to clients. Major schemes he has worked on include a £49m mixed use development in Bournemouth, a new £14.6m Maldron Hotel in Cardiff City Centre, the £1.2m refit of the VIP suites and Electric Lounge in the Odyssey Arena and many more. Niall has also proved himself as an innovator and a team player, bringing much to the company. Judge Paul Crowe commented: “Niall is a product of the innovative teaching provided to young architects at White Ink. “He has worked on a wide variety of significant projects in hospitality and residential sectors with increasing levels of responsibility, which has seen his early career blossom. “He is now acting in a mentoring role within the practice in assisting other students and young architects. He is an excellent ambassador, not just for White Ink but for the architectural profession.”
ating new business and figures show that over the year 52% of properties were let for new landlords. The management department is the bread and butter of the business and the consistent long term income it generates allows the firm to make investments with confidence. Impressive figures show that 722 properties were managed with an average £38,564 billing every month over the last year — a 27% increase on the previous year’s average. In the area of Block Management, McGuinness Fleck is an industry leader. The company was at the forefront of driving change in the industry by first assisting the Alliance Party in the Assembly and later liaising with the
FINALISTS Highly Commended went to Quinn Estate Agents. Quinn Estate Agents is a local, independent, multi branch company set up in 2010 with offices in Ballynahinch, Downpatrick and Banbridge. Training of its 11 full time staff members is a priority and this was recently recognised when the company was presented with a Business Award for Commitment to Training at the Eastern Regional College. The judging panel was impressed by how this emphasis on staff training had contributed to the company’s success. Judge, Susan Mason also said a stand-out element of the Quinn submission was the fact that they do not charge tenant application fees. Fellow judge Daryl McIntosh also commented: “An innovative agency which has introduced new systems and procedures to make it a smoother experience for both landlords and tenants. “They are committed to ensuring their staff are trained and qualified to a high standard and their ethical approach of not charging tenant fees has to be appreciated. “This practice has not had any detrimental effect to the business as they have evidenced excellent year on year growth.” Also shortlisted in this category were Fetherston Clements and John Minnis Estate Agents.
Residential Letting Agency of the Year Sponsored by TLT WINNER McGuinness Fleck HIGHLY COMMENDED Quinn Estate Agents SHORTLISTED Fetherston Clements John Minnis Estate Agents
Young Architect of the year Sponsored by RTU
RTU directors, David and Daniel McIlroy, present Niall Magennis, of White Ink Architects, (centre) with the Young Architect of the Year Award
WINNER Niall Magennis (White Ink Architects)