A pair of real estate luminaries have been recognised for their role in helping to regenerate UK real estate as Bruntwood chief executive Chris Oglesby and the UK Green Building Council Board of Trustees chair Sunand Prasad were handed OBEs on the King's first Birthday Honours list.
Oglesby, who serves on the UKGBC board alongside Prasad, was recognised for his services to charity and regeneration in the North West of England. He has led Bruntwood for 24 years, growing its science and technology portfolio, and helping the group to open trading on the London Stock Exchange.
In March, Oglesby told CoStar News that he wanted the developer to increase its involvement in numerous cities after seeing its combined portfolio value rise to £2 billion from £1.8 billion in 2021.
Oglesby told CoStar News: "It is a truly humbling honour to be awarded an OBE in King Charles III’s inaugural birthday honours list, recognising the work that Bruntwood and The Oglesby Charitable Trust does across the North West to promote inclusivity and drive positive change for the region.
"The positive changes that I have been able to help implement have only been possible thanks to the huge levels of collaboration from my colleagues at Bruntwood, who continue to inspire me with their dedication, commitment and tenacity to get the job done, as well as our numerous community partners and local stakeholders who believe in and support our ethos of creating thriving cities."
He added: "This award is a testament to our combined efforts, and I know that together we’ll be able to continue to make the North West and the rest of the UK’s regions highly successful and vibrant places to live, work and play."
The Oglesby Charitable Trust was set up in 2001, helping to champion and support cultural, environmental and socially driven charitable activity in the areas where Bruntwood operates. It donates around £3.5 million each year.
UKGBC chair of the board of trustees Prasad was also given an OBE for his services to regeneration. Prasad co-founded architecture practice Penoyre & Prasad, which is now part of the Perkins + Will, helping to design, procure and deliver the majority of Penoyre & Prasad’s 300-plus projects across commercial and public sectors.
He was named chair in October 2020 and is a climate champion for property and construction industries. Prasad also served as president of the Royal Institute of British Architects between 2007 and 2009.
Simon McWhirter, UKGBC deputy chief executive, said: "We’re delighted that two esteemed members of our board have been recognised for their distinguished service to the built environment.
"One of the most accomplished and valued leaders in our sector, Sunand has been an integral part of UKGBC’s transformation and growth over the last few years. Alongside his wealth of wider positive impact across the sector, at UKGBC we’re deeply grateful for his strategic counsel, tireless advocacy, and unfailing commitment to a more sustainable UK built environment.
"Chris’ recognition is testament to his success in building a company renowned for driving sustainable progress and development both within the North West and out across the UK.”
Chair of The Crown Estate Robin Budenberg received a knighthood for his services to the economy, having taken up his post at the royal landowner in August 2016. Budenberg, who is also chair of the Lloyds Banking Group, worked on a number of significant deals involving the government during his time at UBS (previously SG Warburg).
Another member of The Crown Estate’s team, Paula Hay-Plumb, was handed an OBE for services to the public sector. Government head of property profession Janet Young was awarded a CBE for public service, while Clare Johnson, deputy head of the profession, Valuation Office Agency, received an MBE for services to the surveying profession and to diversity.
An OBE is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and one of a number of honours that is handed out by the Royal Family twice a year. They are awarded to those with a distinguished regional or county-wide role in any field, through achievement or service to the community.