Judges “blown away” by Architectural studies student at national awards final

A Cardiff University student has won national recognition at the finals of a competition which champions women and girls aspiring to a career in the property and construction industry.

Sophie Page, an undergraduate at the Welsh School of Architecture, picked up the 2024 Women in Property National Student Award at a celebration event in Claridge’s, London.

Sophie, who is about to start the third year of her BSc Architectural Studies degree, saw off competition from 12 other students in the national final of the Awards programme, which is now in its 18th year.

She receives a prize of £1,000 and a trophy, as well as membership of Women in Property – a national membership organisation for women working in the property and construction industry.

Collecting her award, she said: "I am in awe of the exceptional talent that surrounds me and feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to stand among such a remarkable group of finalists this year.

“The entire experience has been both incredibly exciting and rewarding in countless ways.

“I look forward to remaining an active part of this wonderful organisation, which continues to uplift and empower women in the industry.”

Women in Property’s National Student Awards programme runs regionally each year, when universities are invited to nominate their top female students studying in their second year (or third in Scotland) on a built environment degree course.

Sophie topped the Welsh regional final in July after impressing a judging panel with her coursework, personal skills, professional potential, and understanding of the industry.

In the National Final, she joined other regional winners and once again faced a judging panel who challenged the students on topical industry issues.

Sophi’s personal tutor Dr Edmund Green from the Welsh School of Architecture added: “I can’t imagine a more deserving recipient for this prestigious award. Sophie excelled in every academic and extra-curricular role she undertook last year, and is a true credit to the Welsh School of Architecture.”

The judges were “blown away by Sophie’s views on sustainability,” as she emphasised the spirit of consuming less, which “might even include adjusting our comfort levels.”

They described how she talked about how sustainability should be made compulsory, saying that “Government plays a big part in creating change through regulation, not just incentives”.

On the subject of diversity and equality, she talked about how we need to persuade women to stay in the industry, and how we must accommodate them back into the workplace particularly after taking parental leave. In short, the judges all felt that they “had been educated after the interview.”

One of the panel Jennifer Winyard, National Chair of Women in Property and Senior Strategic Land Manager at Barratt Homes, said: “What a fabulous outcome for Sophie, who was up against an amazing, talented group of women for the final stage of this nine-month process.

“This year I have talked a lot about unlocking one’s potential, recognising our own skills and developing our capabilities, none more so than through the National Student Awards programme. I am delighted for all our Finalists and, in particular, for Sophie who excelled. These women will be a credit to our industry, and we would like to thank them all for their hard work and professionalism.”

Over 1,600 students have been through the awards programme since their launch, and 2024 has seen a talented and diverse group of contenders, with 122 students nominated by their lecturers, representing 55 universities.

Women in Property is again giving all the participants free membership, which includes the option to take up the organisation’s acclaimed mentoring scheme.

The 2025 programme is underway, with universities being invited to nominate their top female students for the first round in the judging process.