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.
Natland Group has committed to its long-term presence at Prague-based Rohan Business Center through a lease extension covering 2,004 sqm of office space, together with storage facilities and dedicated parking spaces, in a deal brokered by iO Partners.
Yareal Polska has expanded the commercial offering at its flagship SOHO mixed-use development in Warsaw’s Praga-Południe district, securing three new lease agreements totaling nearly 500 sqm of ground-floor retail space. The developer has strengthened its tenant roster by signing pet supplies retailer Maxi Zoo, ceramics workshop Alike Pottery Studio, and coffee distributor Unroasted.
International flexible office operator SwitchUp has launched its expansion into the Polish market, securing a lease agreement for 2,100 sqm of space at the AFI Office House in Warsaw. The transaction represents the company’s debut contract in Poland, positioning the operator within the first office building of the city’s upcoming Towarowa22 regeneration development. Savills acted as the deal broker.
New appointments
Katarína Brydone, Jana Vlková and Vendula Maršová have been appointed as the first Equity Partners of Colliers’ Czech business. Brydone brings more than 20 years of experience in international real estate. Vlková has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate. Maršová, Partner and Head of Valuation and Advisory Services, brings more than 16 years of experience in real estate valuation and advisory.
BNP Paribas Real Estate Poland has expanded its Industrial and Logistics Agency team with the appointments of Joanna Choromańska, formerly of JLL, and Bartosz Wilczyński, previously with CBRE. The new hires bring a combined 34 years of experience in sector sales, lease negotiations, and build-to-suit project delivery to support the division's ongoing growth.
Speedwell has expanded its industrial and logistics team with the appointment of Valentin Achim as Leasing and Property Manager for Industrial Developments. Achim brings extensive experience in coordinating commercial and operational activities within the logistics and industrial sectors. In his new role, he will oversee the development and expansion of the company's Spaceplus platform.
Q1 2026 brought a rebound to the Polish industrial and logistics space market. Increased tenant activity, a predominance of new agreements and a declining vacancy rate point to the sector's condition, according to a BNP Paribas Real Estate Poland report.
Indotek Group has announced that it acquired the remaining 53% stake in Auchan Magyarország Kft. from Auchan Retail International (ARI), becoming the sole owner of the company that operates the retail chain and holds its properties.
Property Forum is a leading event hub in the CEE real estate industry with over 10 years of experience. We organise conferences, business breakfasts and workshops focused on real estate, in London, Vienna, Warsaw, Budapest, Bucharest, Bratislava, Prague, Zagreb and Sofia, amongst other locations.
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