Q. What, in your view, makes an entry truly stand out?

For me, the strongest entries are the ones that clearly explain the challenge, what action was taken and what impact was made. Having worked in the sector for many years, I don’t think it is just about having an impressive building or a professionally presented service. It is about showing how the work has made a meaningful difference to students, and whether staff and the local community have also been positively impacted. A strong submission is honest, well evidenced and easy to understand. Too many submissions try to use the maximum word count but end up being very hard to read. The best entries are clear, focused and make it easy for the judges to understand why the work matters.

Q. What does excellence in student accommodation look like today?

Excellence in student accommodation is about much more than the physical building. The quality of the fittings and furniture, a safe building, 24/7 staffing, affordability and, of course, location all matter. But so does the experience students receive once they move in. The best operators and universities understand that accommodation plays a major role in belonging, wellbeing and student success. Lovely gyms, cinemas and podcast booths are fine, but building a community is more important. That requires the operator and university to invest properly in Residence Life, with regular events, coffee mornings where students can connect, and trained staff who understand the needs of residents. Excellence today means creating places where students feel safe, supported and able to thrive. Ultimately helping them to be successful at university, which is a huge financial investment for many students.

Q. How important is evidence and data in supporting a strong award entry?

Evidence is really important. A good story, particularly one with strong visuals to back it up, will always capture attention. But the best entries also support that story with clear data, student or customer feedback, and evidence of the outcomes achieved. That might include satisfaction scores such as NPS, occupancy, wellbeing indicators, environmental performance, community impact or financial results. The key is to use the evidence to show what the individual or company did, what positive impact it had, and why it matters. And did I mention the importance of good visuals…