Built Influence Awards opens entries for 2027 scheme

The Built Influence Awards has opened entries for its 2027 programme, which focuses on communications work in the built environment sector.

The scheme is led by Gill Parker, President of the Built Influence Awards and chair of the judges. It was set up to recognise people working in marketing, public relations and communications across the built environment, with an emphasis on editorial judgement, creativity and influence rather than headline audience figures or large campaign budgets.

The programme will cover a range of sectors and disciplines across the industry. Entries will be assessed by a judging panel drawn from publishing, journalism, marketing and industry bodies.

Parker said the awards were intended to address what she described as a longstanding gap in recognition for communications professionals in the sector. Her comments place the programme within a broader debate in property, architecture and construction about the role of brand, reputation and storytelling in business strategy.

"I am incredibly excited to be launching this new and unique awards programme to recognise the talent within our sector. I began my career in marketing before moving into senior leadership within UK architecture and the wider built environment sector, as a result of which I have always advocated for marketing representation at the board level. Accurate and compelling storytelling is vital to driving business strategy, building trust, and unlocking an organization's full potential. While our sector has not always been known for its marketing communications, we have witnessed monumental leaps forward in creativity and style. Marketing professionals are often the unsung heroes of our industry, and the Built Influence Awards provide a dedicated moment to recognise and celebrate this abundant excellence," said Gill Parker, President of the Built Influence Awards and chair of the judges.

Judging panel

The judging panel includes representatives from media groups, consultancies, trade bodies and in-house brand teams. Members include AJ Paron, Executive Vice President of Design Futurist at titles including INTERIOR DESIGN Magazine, METROPOLIS Magazine and LUXE Interiors + Design; Anand Gandesha, Global Brand & Marketing Director at Humanscale; and Anna Mann, Group Communications & Marketing Director at Wates.

Other panel members are Helen Parton, freelance architecture & interiors journalist; Mark Faithfull, journalist at Retail Unwrapped; Nick McKeogh, Chief Executive Officer at New London Architecture; Sam McClary, Chief Executive Officer of the British Council for Offices; and Stephanie Miller, Director of Public Relations | Senior Principal at OK. Other judges include senior figures from PMK Consult, AVK, Firmdale Hotels, Coplan Estates, Architizer, ThinkLab and the Economist Intelligence network.

The panel was assembled to reflect different geographies and parts of the built environment market. The mix suggests the awards are seeking an international profile rather than positioning themselves solely around the UK architecture and property sectors.

Sector focus

The launch comes at a time when communications teams in the built environment are working across a more fragmented media landscape. Architecture, construction, engineering, interiors and property companies now divide marketing budgets across specialist publications, social platforms, digital content, events and direct corporate channels. This has made measurement more complex and reduced the value of simple visibility metrics.

That shift has also increased scrutiny of what communications activity actually achieves for firms in the sector. Advisory and design businesses have placed greater focus on reputation, client trust and differentiated market positioning, particularly when competing for major projects, investment or public sector work.

Against that backdrop, an awards programme centred on communications rather than buildings or projects marks a notable development. Built environment awards have traditionally prioritised design, delivery, placemaking or commercial performance, while marketing and editorial work has often sat outside the main spotlight.

The Built Influence Awards aims to put that work at the centre of assessment. Judges will identify teams whose work demonstrates strong judgement and communications skill in a crowded media environment.

Timetable

Entries close on 20 November 2026, with judging due to take place in January 2027. Winners are scheduled to be announced in early March 2027.

According to the organisers' published process, judges will assess entries against category criteria and will not review submissions where a conflict of interest could affect impartiality.