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.
iLogic, an official distributor of Delphi Tools, has leased 3,400 sqm of modern space at MLP Wrocław. This transaction completes the commercialisation of the 66,000 sqm warehouse complex. BNP Paribas Real Estate Poland supported the tenant during the negotiation and lease agreement process.
The Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection has leased 4,600 sqm of office space in the refurbished HOP building, part of the Syrena Real Estate portfolio, in Warsaw. The company has been operating from its new address since January 2026.
Bel-Pol, a leading provider of flooring and doors, has leased more than 5,600 sqm of logistics and office space at Panattoni Park Warsaw North III. Axi Immo provided comprehensive tenant representation throughout the process.
New appointments
NEPI Rockcastle has nominated Zelda Roscherr as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Roscherr will stand for election at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2026. André van der Veer, currently an Independent Non-Executive Director, will retire at the conclusion of the AGM and will not seek re-election.
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.
At Bratislava Property Forum 2026, investors and market experts compared notes on where capital is actually moving in CEE real estate and what is still holding it back. The opening discussion, moderated by Rudolf Nemec MRICS, Partner & Head of Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield Slovakia, made it clear that while activity is picking up, higher financing costs, geopolitical uncertainty and stricter return expectations continue to shape how and where deals get done.
Czech real estate fund Wood & Company has bought the Royal Wilanów complex in Warsaw from Capital Park Group, in a deal worth more than €100 million. The building offers 37,000 sqm of lettable space and is fully commercialised.
Poland's retail market is on a growth trend and over the next three years total sales volume will increase by an average of 2.9% annually, while the shopping park format will dominate new supply, according to a JLL analysis.
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