Get to know the sponsors of the Essex Housing Awards 2025

The Essex Awards 2025, held in association with Birketts, CHP and Estuary Housing Association, has eight sponsors supporting the event programme this year. They are eager to share the success of their sector peers and spotlight the rising stars in the sector.

The awards will bring together builders, housing associations, local authorities, contractors, agents, and voluntary sector organisations in Essex to celebrate excellence and provide them with a platform to inspire, share knowledge and raise the standards of housing and related support services in Essex going forward.

There are 12 award categories this year, including Excellence in Construction Skills, Smart Working, and awards for individuals like the Housing & Development Professional of the Year. Additionally, there are two new categories based on last year’s entry engagement and sector priorities.

On Friday, 25 July, a panel of expert judges came together, comprising housing practitioners and advisors from both public and private sectors, and determined the shortlist and winners in each category. Now, the entrants eagerly await the results, which will be unveiled at a dazzling ceremony on Thursday evening, 16 October, set to welcome approximately 200 guests to our new venue, Hylands House.

Now, let’s hear from the sponsors about the significance of the event and their ongoing support:

Steven Kay, Partner and Head of Residential Development Sector Group at Birketts LLP, co-headline partner of the Essex Housing Awards 2025, said: “The Essex Housing Awards are a fantastic celebration of the great work taking place across the county. They provide a valuable opportunity for people in the sector to come together, share ideas, and recognise the projects and individuals making a real difference. There’s a genuine sense of community at the event, and it’s always a pleasure to be part of an evening that shines a light on the work shaping homes and places in Essex.”

Paul Edwards, Chief Executive, CHP and Ian Martin, Chief Executive, Estuary Housing Association, co-headline partners of the Essex Housing Awards 2025, said: We’re pleased to be involved with the Essex Housing Awards once again, and particularly so, being joint sponsors this year. Part of the rationale behind our merger discussions has been about how we might work together to address the critical shortfall in affordable housing in the county, so our work has never been more important. The shortlisted organisations and individuals demonstrate the very best of our sector and are a key part in helping us to tackle the housing crisis together. We want to congratulate all this year’s nominees; whether you win or not, we look forward to celebrating your achievements at the awards ceremony later this year.

Alasdair Sherry, Planning Manager, Anderson Development Group, category sponsor of the Essex Housing Awards 2025, said: “This year we are sponsoring the Mo Slade Award, one of the most engaged award categories of the night. Named in memory of the late Mo Slade, a passionate advocate for youth who served Basildon Council for over 47 years, this award honours outstanding emerging talent.

“At Anderson, we actively support young people entering the construction and real estate industry, a career path often underrepresented in schools. The Essex Housing Awards shine a spotlight on the next generation of talent, and we are honoured to be part of celebrating their achievements. We wish all shortlisted entrants the very best and invite the community to join us in recognising their success.”

Gemma Gallagher, Head of Marketing and Partnerships, Kind and Company, category sponsor of the Essex Housing Awards 2025, said: “With the Awards Ceremony fast approaching, we’d like to wish the best of luck to everyone on the shortlist — being recognised is an achievement in itself. Kind & Company are proud to sponsor the Climate Action – Decarbonisation / Retrofit Award this year.

“The Essex Developers Climate Action Charter sets out bold targets: retrofitting two-thirds of all homes to net zero standards by 2030, halving carbon emissions from existing residential buildings, achieving carbon neutrality for all new homes by 2025, and ensuring all new developments consented by 2030 are carbon positive.

“As the sector works collectively toward these goals, the Essex Housing Awards offer a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate the projects and people driving real change.”

Darragh Harnett, Land & Planning Director, Countryside Partnerships (part of Vistry Group), category sponsor of the Essex Housing Awards 2025, said: “We’re proud to once again support the Housing and Development Professional of the Year Award. We believe that the strength of any team lies in the drive, creativity, and passion of its individual members — and this award is a chance to celebrate exactly that. As a colleague-nominated award, being put forward is already a meaningful recognition of your impact. Congratulations to all those shortlisted.”

Brian Smith, Group Sales & Marketing Director, Ground Control, category sponsor of the Essex Housing Awards 2025, said: “A huge congratulations to everyone shortlisted for this year’s Essex Housing Awards — your work is making a real impact across the county.

This year, Ground Control is proud to support the Climate Action – Low/Zero Carbon New Build Award. We’ve been inspired by the outstanding projects submitted and how they share both our passion for innovation and our commitment to a net-zero future. We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the awards ceremony and encouraging the sector to keep pushing boundaries.”

Declan Higgins, Chief Executive Officer, Higgins Group, partner of the Essex Housing Awards 2025, said: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring the Essex Housing Awards for the first time and to see such an impressive shortlist announced. Congratulations to all the finalists. We wish you the best of luck and look forward to celebrating your achievements on the night. The Essex Housing Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise the hard work and dedication of those delivering high-quality sustainable housing and making a difference across the county. It’s also a chance to connect with like-minded organisations, celebrate innovation in housing, and show our support for a region where we have deep roots and long-standing partnerships.”

Do you have your ticket for the award ceremony yet?

If you are shortlisted, you will receive two free tickets per category, limited to six tickets maximum, and can book additional discounted tickets. However, as this year’s venue is able to accommodate more people, there are a number of tickets available to wider organisations in the sector. Despite the focus on the awards, these organisations will find the event to be a wonderful opportunity to network with the leaders in the sector and local authority members.

Tickets are £135 and are limited; reserve your place now: https://wlevents.org.uk/event/essex-housing-awards/

The Awards are brought together in partnership with Essex Developers Group (EDG), the South Essex Housing Group (SEHG), and the Essex Housing Officers Group (EHOG). They are held in association with Birketts, CHP and Estuary Housing Association and are sponsored and supported by Anderson Development Group, Countryside Partnerships (part of the Vistry Group), Ground Control, Kind & Company and Higgins.

Follow us on LinkedIn for updates: Essex Housing Awards