About the award:
Launched in 2019, this award is open to all AREF Fund Members.
Criteria:
The Outstanding Fund Achievement Award, exclusively open to AREF Funds, sets a high standard of excellence within the industry. Entrants are required to submit a compelling entry, of no more than 2,000 words, explaining why their fund is outstanding and how well the fund aligns its approach and activities with the 10 Guiding Principles set out in The AREF Charter (link).
The following criteria will be used for scoring purposes, and the structure, presentation and clarity of your submission will also be taken into account. We recommend including information on as many of the points below as possible:
- Emphasis on NZC (Net Zero Carbon) while adopting a pragmatic and integrated approach to associated risks (examples should be included to substantiate any claims): Demonstrating a clear understanding of the significance of NZC considerations and how these influence the fund’s investment strategy, including the impact on long-term valuations. Addressing material risks in an integrated way, such as retrofitting, development, and nature risks, with a balanced and proactive risk management strategy.
- ‘Just transition’ considerations: Highlighting the growing importance of social impact factors and the fund's commitment to positive contributions in this area, such as apprenticeships, access to healthy spaces, support for local enterprise and innovation, and efforts to reduce issues like fuel poverty.
- Treatment of investors: Illustrating a commitment to transparency, fairness, and responsiveness in investor relations, building trust and long-term partnerships. Explain how the fund has embraced transformational distribution ethically and securely, and how performance is presented relative to benchmarks and industry standards.
- Engagement within the industry: Demonstrating active involvement and collaboration within the AREF community and wider industry to support knowledge sharing and promote best practice.
How to apply:
Submissions should be emailed to Clare at [email protected], who will confirm receipt (if you do not receive a confirmation, check the email address/resend).
Deadline:
The deadline for submissions is Friday 27 June 2025.
The winning entry:
The winners will be announced at the AREF Annual Dinner & Awards, sponsored by JTC Group, in September (link to event). Each winner will receive a trophy, a winners’ logo for use in the marketing of their fund, and have professional photographs taken at the event. These will be shared on AREF’s social media channels and can also be provided directly to the winners for their own use.
Winners will also be invited to take part in a short interview with one of the judges. This will be shared with AREF members — including Investor Members — across various platforms, such as the AREF website, newsletter, social media and email.
The judging panel:
This award is being judged by a panel of AREF committee members:
- Jonathan Hale, Knight Frank - Chair
- Naomi Green, Schroders
- Dugal Hunt, CBRE
- Oliver Light, Accenture
- Robert Boag, Independent Consultant
Terms & conditions:
- Open to AREF Fund Members only (see list of fund members here).
- Papers can be submitted in any format (PDF/Word/Digital).
- Up to three pieces of supporting material can be submitted to accompany your submission.
- Submissions should be no more than 2000 words.
- Submissions will be treated confidentially.
- The deadline for the submission to be sent to us is Friday 27 June 2025.
Previous winners:
2024: Thriving Investments - The Mid Market Rent (New Avenue Living) Fund
2023: Patrizia Hanover Property Unit Trust
2022: Patrizia Hanover Property Unit Trust
2021: Patrizia Hanover Property Unit Trust
2020: UBS Triton Property Fund LP
2019: UBS Triton Property Fund LP
Enquiries:
For any enquiries relating to any of the awards, please contact Clare at [email protected].
