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.
MLP Group has bolstered the tenant mix at MLP Poznań West by welcoming Stockly, a 3D printing specialist. The company has leased 2,400 sqm of warehouse and office space, with operations already underway via early access. A full handover is expected in December 2026. Stockly was represented by Rock Estate during the transaction.
Echo Investment has signed a lease agreement with Auchan Polska for 1,200 sqm of retail space within Fuzja, a flagship multifunctional complex in Łódź. The retailer is scheduled to open the outlet during the summer of 2026.
Froo Romania, a subsidiary of the Żabka Group, has relocated its HQ to the Bucharest-based Hermes Business Campus. The retailer secured around 2,900 sqm of office space in a transaction facilitated by Colliers.
New appointments
iO Partners has appointed Constantin Banu as Business Development Director for its Industrial and Land segments. With over 25 years of experience in the Romanian real estate sector, Banu is widely credited with helping shape the local logistics market. In his new role, he will oversee expansion strategies for the two segments.
Avison Young has promoted Bartłomiej Krzyżak and Marcin Purgal to the roles of Co-Heads of the Investment Department in Poland. Krzyżak, previously Senior Director, brings 18 years of commercial real estate experience, having joined Avison Young in 2017. Purgal, also a former Senior Director and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), transitions into the co-head role with 23 years of experience in the CEE commercial markets.
Avison Young has strengthened its Polish leadership with three senior promotions. Patryk Błach ascends to Associate Director within the Investment Advisory Department. Kamil Głowienka has been named Senior Project Manager. Furthermore, Katarzyna Uzar becomes a Valuation and Innovation Specialist, tasked with integrating technological solutions and coordinating global departmental projects.
Industrial developer CTP announced that Moody's Ratings has upgraded CTP's long-term issuer rating and senior unsecured rating to Baa2 with a stable outlook from Baa3 with a positive outlook.
From macro trends and investment strategy to housing affordability, operational efficiency and lender appetite, Prague Property Forum 2026 will bring together many of the market’s most active investors, developers, lenders and advisers on May 18th at the Cubex Centre Prague.
Leasing transactions for modern office space in Bucharest increased by 14% in Q1 2026 compared to the same period last year, while new demand rose by 24%. However, the market remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to Colliers data.
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