Sevdelina Petrova MRICS (Bulgaria) and Maja Ostanek MRICS (Slovenia) were awarded the Chris H. Bennett Memorial Prize. The awards were handed out at the Portfolio Property Investment Forum conference in Budapest, where the achievements of several big players of the Hungarian property market were also acknowledged.
To honour his substantial contribution to the industry over many years, in 2014 RICS has created an annual prize in the name of Chris H. Bennett FRICS, to reward significant display of professionalism by successful RICS Candidates in the CEE region.
The award is given to one or more successful RICS applicants deemed to have made the most outstanding impression on an interviewing panel throughout the RICS business year (1 August - 31 July). Nominations are accepted from all countries of the CEE region. The nomination process is controlled by RICS CEE Country Manager Anna Orcsik and the determination of the merit-based award is managed by family friend John Verpeleti FRICS.
From left to right: John Verpeleti FRICS, Sevdelina Petrova MRICS, Maja Ostanek MRICS and Anna Orcsik.
Sevdelina Petrova MRICS (Bulgaria) and Maja Ostanek MRICS (Slovenia) received the award in Budapest at the 13th Property Investment Forum, organised by Portfolio. RICS has long been the number one professional partner of Portfolio and Property Forum at its property conferences in several European cities.
At this year’s largest professional event on the Hungarian real estate market Portfolio Property Awards were also handed out to recognise the activity of several big players of the Hungarian real estate scene.
Participants of the conference voted in two categories. Futureal’s Nokia Skypark office building was declared Project of The Year. Co-Founder / Chairman Gábor Futó represented the developer.
Based on the popular vote Horizon Development’s Szervita Square project became Concept of The Year. Managing Partner Attila Kovács recieved the award from Property Forum CEO Csanád Csűrös and Net Média Zrt. (Portfolio) CEO Zoltán Bán.
The Transaction Deal of The Year was closed by CPI Property Group. Country Manager Mátyás Gereben recieved the award from host Nóra Ödrög.
E-commerce player 4M Pro&Invest has leased nearly 4,100 sqm of warehouse space in Panattoni Park Poznań XIV. This agreement marks the completion of the leasing of the two completed phases of the development.
Panattoni has commenced construction on the latest phase of Panattoni Park Gorzów II, developing a bespoke BTS warehouse for DPD Polska. The facility will encompass 5,300 sqm tailored to the courier company’s operational requirements. DPD Polska is scheduled to begin operations at the new site in August 2026.
Romanian strategic advisory firm Infinexa Restructuring has relocated its HQ to GTC’s City Gate South Tower in Bucharest. The move supports their integrated approach to delivering complex debt restructuring, insolvency mandates, and preventive procedures for distressed companies.
New appointments
Panattoni has promoted Nick Cripps to the position of Head of International Capital Markets for Europe, the UK, the Middle East, and India. Based in London, Cripps is tasked with leading the firm’s global capital markets strategy across 18 diverse markets. He joined Panattoni five years ago as Head of UK Capital Markets.
PSN has expanded its acquisitions team with the arrival of Martin Šrytr as Business Development Manager. Most recently, he served as Real Estate Expansion Manager at Twistcafe Group, supporting the company’s EMEA growth. His previous experience includes consulting at Cushman & Wakefield, advisory roles at Prochazka & Partners, and management positions within IWG.
iO Partners has announced key leadership changes within its Czech Republic operations as part of its ongoing business evolution. Milan Kilik has been appointed as the new Head of Office Leasing, with a particular focus on client advisory and team collaboration. Concurrently, Petr Kareš has transitioned into the role of Occupier Business Development Director. In this new capacity, he will be responsible for identifying new market opportunities and integrating services across Tenant Representation, Project Management, and Industrial Leasing.
Romania's office investment market recorded its strongest first quarter in a decade, with transactions totalling approximately €130 million, according to Colliers data. This represents more than triple the average for January-March periods over the past 10 years and signals renewed investor interest despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
Arvato, a logistics services provider for e-commerce and healthcare, has selected Prologis Park Poznań III as the location for its new European distribution centre. The investment will deliver a 46,000 sqm facility, including 1,000 sqm of office space.
The Łódź region continues to strengthen its position as one of Poland's most important logistics hubs, with tenant demand having reached 1.17 million sqm (+17% y/y) during 2025, marking the second-highest result nationwide, according to a report by Axi Immo.
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