Overview
Celebrating apprenticeships
During National Apprenticeship Week UCEM celebrated all of the employers, apprentices and UCEM staff members that put in so much hard work to improve the built environment through apprenticeships.
From the beginning of January, we asked you to send us in your nominations for the below three categories. Winners were announced via our social media channels during National Apprenticeship Week (7 – 13 Feb 22) and can be seen below. Congratulations to every single person that was nominated.
THE THREE CATEGORIES

Employer representative
of the year
Nominees for this category will be from an employer whose apprentices study with UCEM and has, for example, provided exceptional support to their apprentice/s, developed an outstanding apprenticeship programme or has made a valuable contribution related to apprenticeships.



Apprentice of
the year
This category is for any current UCEM apprentice who has, for example, shown academic excellence in their degree, contributed to a significant project at work or has made an outstanding contribution during their apprenticeship.



UCEM staff member
of the year
This category is for any member of UCEM staff that has made a significant contribution towards the development of apprenticeships, including exceptional support to an apprentice, championing apprenticeships within the workplace or in service to apprenticeships.
Employer Representative of the Year
Winner: Mark Winsor – Talent & Development Manager, Lambert Smith Hampton
Mark Winsor - Lambert Smith Hampton - Winner!
Name - Mark Winsor
Company - Lambert Smith Hampton
“It’s great to be nominated and be recognised for our efforts. I am fortunate to work with some great teams at LSH who, over the past few years, have embraced the benefits of apprenticeships and they continue to dedicate a lot of time and effort into developing our apprentices with great results. Equally, I enjoy a fantastic relationship with the UCEM who are always helpful and supportive and who share our commitment and enthusiasm for creating an excellent apprentice experience”.
The VOA graduate and apprentice programmes develop the Chartered Surveyors the organisation requires to deliver essential public services and I am pleased to have been able to assist in advancing the careers of those I managed."
The panel feedback was that Mark is a constant support to apprentices, driving the apprenticeship programme at LSH. He always is prepared to contribute to anything apprenticeship-related and his passion shines through.
Malcolm Lytton - Valuation Office Agency - Highly commended
Name - Malcolm Lytton
Company - VOA
"I am delighted to have been nominated as Employer Representative of the year on behalf of the VOA. The Valuation Office Agency is part of the Civil Service and places high importance on training and developing all staff to achieve their maximum potential. The VOA has a dedicated development team and internal training resources which complement the academic qualifications UCEM provide. The VOA graduate and apprentice programmes develop the Chartered Surveyors the organisation requires to deliver essential public services and I am pleased to have been able to assist in advancing the careers of those I managed."
The panel felt that Malcolm is a strong role model for young surveyors, contributing towards the sustainable future of surveyors, qualifying the workforce for the future.
Ruth Davidson - Valuation Office Agency - Highly commended
Name - Ruth Davidson
Company - VOA
The panel wanted to recognise Ruth for the critical role she plays being the bridge between the VOA and UCEM, making the apprenticeship programme work effectively.
Clare Johnson - Valuation Office Agency (shortlister)
Name - Clare Johnson
Company - VOA
"It really was a lovely surprise to hear that I’d been nominated for the UCEM Awards. When Trailblazer Apprenticeships were launched I jumped at the chance to join employers from across the industry to develop new opportunities for people to join our profession and it’s been brilliant over the last couple of years to see the first of our talented VOA apprentices qualifying through these routes. We now have a much more diverse range of people joining the profession, including many who wouldn’t previously have considered a career in surveying."
Ellie Parminter - Atkins Global (shortlister)
Name - Ellie Parminter
Company - Atkins Global
"I feel really grateful to be nominated by my colleagues, having only been with the organisation for a short while it’s rewarding to see how I have made a positive outcome on our Early Careers programme so quickly. I wouldn’t have expected to be nominated as I feel as though I am simply doing my job which I love and that is to support, engage and help develop our apprentices.
Fortunately, within Atkins we have a wide support group of apprentice ambassadors and forum representatives, which means our apprentices truly have multiple colleagues there to support them. Each apprentice has a line manager, mentor, buddy, forum rep as well as the support from Learning & Development. We build close, strong working relationships with our training providers to ensure high quality learning is delivered and in return, we attract and retain the best talent to meet the high demands of the engineering industry."
Felicity Allerton - SOCOTEC Building Control (shortlister)
Name - Felicity Allerton
Company - SOCOTEC Building Control
"Receiving a nomination from UCEM for Employee Representative is a huge honour as it not only means I have forged a strong and lasting relationship with the fantastic colleagues at UCEM, it highlights the respect and dedication I have towards our wonderful apprentices. Working alongside such enthusiastic individuals and helping them create a unified, collaborating group is one of my greatest achievements at work."
Graham Johnston - Valuation Office Agency (shortlister)
Name - Graham Johnston
Company - VOA
James Mitchell - Costplan
Name - James Mitchell
Company - Costplan
"I am honoured to have been nominated for this and proud of the commitment and focus Costplan applies to supporting all our staff during their training. This level of support ensures our clients receive the best level of service and that each individual person feels proud of their work outputs. This in turn reflects on their wellbeing and happiness generally. Ensuring a strong grounding through training outputs a more rounded and experienced surveyor so a commitment to their studies and on the job training is key."
Jude Brennan - ISG (shortlister)
Name - Jude Brennan
Company - ISG
“I'm delighted to be nominated for this award and proud that ISG are working with UCEM to provide future skills for apprentices and our industry. Collectively we ensure that our apprentices are constantly learning and developing their careers for a bright future.”
Matthew Taylor - Valuation Office Agency
Name - Matthew Taylor
Company - VOA
"I’m delighted to receive this nomination for UCEM Employee Representative of the Year. This wouldn’t have been made possible without the wider support of my management and surveying colleagues at the VOA, the dedicated staff at UCEM and, of course, the continued hard work and commitment of all the apprentices on my team. Thank you everyone."
Nick Hardy - Page Hardy Harris
Name - Nick Hardy
Company - Page Hardy Harris
"I am very pleased to be nominated for Employer Representative of the Year in the UCEM Built Environment Apprenticeship Awards, but recognise that I am of course representing the efforts of several of my colleagues in this respect.
Page Hardy Harris are strong supporters of the apprenticeship scheme and have successfully helped several of our employees through UCEM Built Environment degrees. We have benefitted enormously from the thorough training that UCEM has provided to several key members of our team, both past and present. The future of our profession is only as bright as the next generation of surveyors that will illuminate the way. It’s been an honour to work with such talented young people."
Steve Barnshaw - JHAI
Name - Steve Barnshaw
Company - JHAI
Zoe Bacon - Cabinet Office (shortlister)
Name - Zoe Bacon
Company - Cabinet Office
"I am really touched to be nominated. Our amazing apprentices bring so much to their roles - enthusiasm, dedication, drive and a fresh way of thinking. I am lucky that in my role I get to work with them, showcase the many opportunities, networks and support open to them from across government. I really do have the best job and in the Cabinet Office we see apprenticeships as essential to bringing in new talent; as well as enabling and developing our existing talented staff."
Tara Northen - Northen Surveying
Name - Tara Northen
Company - Northen Surveying
"Northen Surveying Services is a strong advocate of the apprenticeship programme and proud to have been recognised in this way because it puts a spotlight on the many benefits this scheme brings to UK businesses. We have seen several UCEM apprentices thrive within our business over the past few years and help us grow and we will continue to invest in them and make it a key part of our business in 2022 and beyond. We have also enjoyed building strong links with UCEM in the past year by supporting more students by sharing our knowledge through NRM2 webinars with our MD Alan Northen."



Apprentice of the Year
Winner: James Doyle – Chartered Surveyor apprentice
James Doyle - Winner!
Winner!
Name - James Doyle
Company - Paul Airey
"To be nominated for this award is a huge honour, and also a delightful surprise. Recognition in my role as an apprentice is so humbling, and would not have been possible without the help and support of my employer, colleagues and, of course, all the staff at UCEM (academic and otherwise)."
The panel felt that James was impressive in every way. He puts himself forward for projects and initiatives, has a huge impact on his local community and provides great leadership within the sector. James also shows and demonstrates all of the behaviours that were so positively identified and viewed at our recent Ofsted inspection. Well done, James!
Tafataona Chakadini - Highly commended
Highly commended
Name -Tafataona Chakadini
Company - VOA
“It is a tremendous honour to be nominated for the UCEM Built Environment Apprentice of the Year 2022. This is a testament of all the collective hard work not only put in by myself, but my fellow students, VOA work colleagues, UCEM tutors and support staff- throughout my apprenticeship journey thus far. I look forward to the continued professional and learning development the Built Environment Apprenticeship will continue to provide me going forward. A big congratulations to my fellow nominees!!”
The panel felt that Tafataona stood out because of his behaviour as a role model within the built environment. He is extremely supportive of others and is always willing to help and assist his colleagues. Well done!
Madeleine Maine - Highly commended
Highly commended
Name -Madeleine Maine
Company - VOA
“I am honoured to have been nominated for this award and feel so grateful to all of my colleagues who have recognised my hard work.”
The panel felt that Madeleine is an apprentice already making an impact within the built environment because of the fundamental role she plays in impressive projects in the workplace. Congratulations, Madeleine.
Michaela Ukereghe - Highly commended
Highly commended
Name - Michaela Ukereghe
Company - VOA
"I am extremely proud, if somewhat surprised, to have been nominated for UCEM Apprentice of the Year. I am very keen to show people that apprenticeships can be undertaken at any age and heartily recommend them. When I started on this journey my youngest child was only 4 years old. It was extremely hard work but was more than worth it for the end results. I now have a degree which I did not anticipate ever having when I left school at the age of 17 and it has taken my career in a whole new direction."
The panel were extremely impressed with Michaela for her ability to balance work and family life, all while studying to become a chartered surveyor! Congratulations, Michaela!
Alex Hargreaves (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Alex Hargreaves
Company - VOA
Andreea Plant
Name - Andreea Plant
Company - Thanet District Council
"I am overjoyed to have been nominated for this award, which serves as a reminder of the hard work and dedication that all UCEM apprentices put into their careers.
On a personal level, it is an opportunity to promote the profession further. But, of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of my employer and RICS counsellor, to whom I am very grateful."
Ashley Fitt (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Ashley Fitt
Company - JLL
Callum McGrath
Name - Callum McGrath
Company - VOA
“I feel so humbled to have been nominated for this award. A massive thank you must go to my colleagues at the VOA, who continue to support apprentices like myself through their development programmes. I have thoroughly enjoyed the first year of my new role and academic studies. I can’t wait to see what the rest of my apprenticeship entails. It’s a real pleasure to have been recognised for my work to date. Good luck to all nominees!”
Christabelle Day (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Christabelle Day
Company - JLL
"I am delighted to have been nominated for UCEM Built Environment Apprenticeship Awards 2022! Thank you to JLL and UCEM for all their support over the apprenticeship."
Christie Bays
Name - Christie Bays
Company - Denhurst Management Ltd
Connor Taverner (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Connor Taverner
Company - VOA
Dan Hosier (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Dan Hosier
Company - Rider Levett Bucknall
David Lotz
Name - David Lotz
Company - VOA
"It can be easy to feel isolated and disconnected when studying a distance learning apprenticeship and working from home, due to Covid. However, this nomination acknowledges the hard work I have done up to this point and makes me feel appreciated. It has been a much-needed boost heading into the final module and research project."
Emilia Hill (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Emilia Hill
Company - Wokingham Borough Council
"I am delighted to have been nominated for this opportunity. Ever since I started my apprenticeship, I have thoroughly enjoyed each challenging project. I have been fortunate enough to be given great opportunities both with the university and within work."
Emma Purdy
Name - Emma Purdy
Company - Clowes
"I’m very pleased to be nominated for this award. I’m thoroughly enjoying both the apprenticeship and my job. I’m extremely fortunate to have supportive colleagues who are helping me to build my career in real estate and I am looking forward to continuing with my degree over the next few years."
Hannah Reilly (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Hannah Reilly
Company - MHS Homes Group
"I’m so grateful to have been nominated by my manager. Working and studying can be hard sometimes so all the appreciates are doing amazingly."
Harry Richards (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Harry Richards
Company - HMRC
Harry Tanner
Name - Harry Tanner
Company - Cromwell Holdings
“I am delighted to be nominated for the UCEM Apprentice of the Year award. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed implementing the knowledge gained from my studies at work. I’d like to thank my UCEM tutors, fellow students and colleagues for the continued support!”
Jack Orr
Name - Jack Orr
Company - Stiles Harold Williams
"Delighted to be nominated following a lot of hard work and dedication in what has been a challenging year for all."
Jonathan Law (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Jonathan Law
Company - Linesight
"It’s great to be nominated for Apprentice of the Year in recognition of the hard work I have put in to my studies and professional development. This would not be possible without the support of my employer, Linesight, and the opportunities they have given me to progress over the past year."
Joseph Prested
Name - Joseph Prested
Company - VOA
"It is a real privilege to be recognised and considered for UCEM Apprentice of the Year"
Joshua Hansing
Name - Joshua Hansing
Company - Linesight
"I am very happy to have been nominated for the UCEM Apprentice of the Year award. My apprenticeship journey has allowed me to gain valuable knowledge across multiple sectors with the various companies I have worked with over the years, all whilst gaining the necessary qualifications to effectively fulfil my role. My apprenticeship journey will culminate with me sitting the RICS APC and (hopefully) becoming a chartered quantity surveyor through attaining membership status of the RICS this November. I am thankful to have been given so many opportunities to grow and excel during my career to date and would like to give a special shout out to my current employer (Linesight) for the nomination!"
Kirstie Busfield (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name -Kirstie Busfield
Company - VOA
Leonie Ramshaw (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Leonie Ramshaw
Company - VOA
“ I feel proud and privileged to be nominated for this award. It recognises my commitment and achievements to date in work and on the apprenticeship.”
Lewis Hosier (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Lewis Hosier
Company - Aecom
Lucy Willis
Name - Lucy Willis
Company - VOA
Matthew Seed (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Matthew Seed
Company - English Heritage
"I love being an apprentice and being nominated is both exciting and surprising! I continue to learn so much from many talented professionals, particularly in relation to my work within the conservation of the historic built environment."
Nadia Kelly (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Nadia Kelly
Company - VOA
"I feel very honoured to be nominated for the UCEM Apprentice of the Year award. I’d like to thank UCEM and my employer for recognising my achievements, as without their support this would not have been possible."
Nuala McDonough
Name - Nuala McDonough
Company - VOA
Paul Good (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Paul Good
Company - VOA
Rebecca Griffiths (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name -Rebecca Griffiths
Company - VOA
"I feel extremely proud and honoured to have been nominated for UCEM Apprentice of the Year. Overall my apprenticeship journey so far has been exciting and informative which I hope will help my career in the years to follow."
Rebecca Humphrey (shortlister)
Shortlister
Name - Rebecca Humphrey
Company - Rider Levett Bucknall
“I am honoured and pleasantly surprised to have been nominated for Apprentice of the Year in the UCEM Built Environment Apprenticeship Awards 2022. UCEM has been an excellent online education provider that has provided myself with a springboard into the built environment by further developing the skills gained in the workplace.”
Rosemary Gay
Name - Rosemary Gay
Company - Faithful+Gould
Ross Craig
Name - Ross Craig
Company - VOA
"It came as a total surprise to be nominated, I’m really happy with it! It’s coming up to a year since I started my apprenticeship so it is nice to know the work I have put in this far is paying off. "
Shaun Sandell
Name - Shaun Sandell
Company - VOA
"It was a surprise and a privilege to be nominated. The challenges of the past 2 years have been profound, but to embark on a completely new profession, with a new employer and the academic responsibility it comes with has presented it’s own unique challenges. I have loved every minute of my new role and I’m thoroughly enjoying both the on the job learning and the academic studies, and as such, this nomination provides me with enough justification that I made the right career move. I’m thoroughly looking forward to continuing my studies and employment to achieve my goals."
Thomas Willis
Shortlister
Name - Thomas Willis
Company - VOA
“I am delighted to have been nominated for UCEM Apprentice of the Year and thank both UCEM and my employer for the opportunities they have given me. I will continue to support and encourage others with their development and wish everyone the best of luck with their apprenticeships and future careers.”
Tiffany Wratten
Name - Tiffany Wratten
Company - Workman
“Thank you Workman (Richard Fridd and James Smith) for my nomination. It's so lovely to be recognised for my hard work over the past year and it has definitely given me even more motivation to develop further and succeed”
Wesley Sawyer
Name - Wesley Sawyer
Company - Workman
"I’m totally blown away and feel very privileged to be nominated for UCEM Apprentice of the Year. 2021 was a slightly mad year for me, buying and renovating my first house and getting engaged and married all in the same year! Balancing this with putting in lots of effort at work and UCEM certainly makes me feel like my hard work paid-off."



UCEM Member of Staff
Winner: Becky Bickerton – Head of Apprenticeship Outcomes, UCEM
Becky Bickerton - Winner!
Winner!
Name - Becky Bickerton
Jon Title - Head of Apprenticeship Outcomes
"I am surprised yet honoured to be nominated for the UCEM staff member of the year. It is great to get the acknowledgement for the work I do with the Apprenticeship Outcomes team to support the apprenticeship journey."
The panel felt that Becky goes above and beyond for both staff and employers and that she cares deeply for her team, apprentices and employers. It was also noted that her work has a huge impact across so many dimensions of our apprenticeship activity. Well done, Becky!
Martin Cawley - Highly commended
Highly commended
Name - Martin Cawley
Job Title - Associate Director - Business Development
“I'm very pleased to have been nominated for the work I do in supporting our employers. Any recognition of your work is always welcome and emphasises the value of what we do at UCEM.”
The panel wanted to recognise Martin for how he employs his knowledge and experience tirelessly, to work with employers to understand their needs and champion these within UCEM.
Adrianne Lowe
Name - Adrianne Lowe
Job Title - Business Development Executive
"It was a pleasant surprise to be nominated and I appreciate being recognised for my work."
Deborah Shorten (shortlister)
Name - Deborah Shorten
Job Title - Apprentice Support Tutor
"It was such a delightful surprise to open my email and see I had been nominated for this award. To be nominated for doing a job I love, working with a team of dedicated colleagues and quite inspiring apprentices, is truly an honour – and what a wonderful way to brighten up a grey and gloomy January!! Thank you."
Elena Best-Shaw (shortlister)
Name - Elena Best-Shaw
Job Title - Administrator - Apprenticeships Programmes
"Very pleased to be nominated, such a lovely surprise. Having such a great team to work with makes all the difference!"
Hazel Lobo
Name - Hazel Lobo
Job Title - UCEM Tutor
"I am surprised and humbled by the nomination for UCEM staff member of the year. I consider it such an honour to be able to support the Built Environment leaders of the future, and am really privileged to work within an institution filled with like-minded people. Thank you so much to the nominator(s) – I am so very grateful to know that our support of apprentices is recognised and, more importantly, helping students succeed."
Jackie Dabinett
Name - Jackie Dabinett
Job Title - Apprenticeship Outcomes Officer
"I am really chuffed to have been nominated for this award. It means a lot to me. I always work hard to ensure that I take care of my apprentices and support them to the best of my ability, irrespective of the curve balls some of them throw at me."
James Browne (shortlister)
Name - James Browne
Job Title - Associate Tutor
Jane Harlow (shortlister)
Name - Jane Harlow
Job Title - Apprenticeship Outcomes Manager
"It is fabulous to be nominated for this award , it is recognition for the small part I play in the UCEM Apprenticeship Team effort to make sure our Apprentices have a positive and successful experience at UCEM."
Janet Hontoir (shortlister)
Name - Janet Hontoir
Job Title - UCEM tutor
"It’s an honour to be nominated and I would like to thank the person who put my name forward."
Karen Weaver (shortlister)
Name - Karen Weaver
Job Title - Apprenticeship Outcomes Officer
"I have worked for UCEM for just over a year and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the apprenticeship team and supporting my cohort of apprentices and their employers. It is a privilege to watch the apprentices flourish and grow as they continue their apprenticeship journey and to be able to support them to reach their full potential."
Lucy Walker
Name - Lucy Walker
Job Title - Academic Programme Support Tutor
"Hearing on a cold, grey Tuesday afternoon that I had been nominated for ‘UCEM staff member of the year’ was a really unexpected surprise. Working as part of a student support team, we are all too aware of how busy our students are as they manage the balance of work/life/study. Therefore, it’s really appreciated that somebody went out of their way to take the time to complete the nomination, thank you. It certainly cheered up that grey afternoon!"
Meryl Bonser (shortlister)
Name - Meryl Bonser
Job Title - Director of Business Development
“I'm very excited now!”
Myra Sultan
Name -Myra Sultan
Job Title - Apprenticeship Admissions Administrator
Yvonne Smart
Name - Yvonne Smart
Job Title - Apprenticeship Outcomes Officer
"What a lovely surprise to be nominated! It feels great to know that my work is appreciated and that I am doing my job well. It has helped me to feel valued and will encourage me to continue to strive to do my best in my role as an Apprenticeship Outcomes Officer. Thank you for taking the time to nominate me."


