Trailblazing young workers in property and construction careers are the target of a Rising Star Award, part of the 2026 ProCon Awards for the best new buildings and other construction projects in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Employers can nominate their newer team members for the Pam Allardice Rising Star of the Year, sponsored by Galliford Try. The award, now in its third year, is named after the founder of ProCon Leicestershire.
The judges are seeking young professionals under the age of 30 who have demonstrated their ability to rise to the top by making a difference to their projects or business.
Entry is free and all the details are on the ProCon Leicestershire website at: procon-leicestershire.co.uk/procon-awards/pam-allardice-rising-star-of-the-year-award-2026 – nominations close on July 8.
The first two winners of the Rising Star were Alice Stewardson, nominated by Danaher & Walsh in 2024, and Joseph Silva, nominated last year by SGP.
Alice joined Danaher & Walsh in 2016 as a trainee Quantity Surveyor. Her blend of academic excellence, leadership and commitment to industry advancement was described as making her a standout professional. Since joining Stephen George + Partners (SGP) in 2020, Joseph progressed through four positions, from assistant to associate, in a career defined by design leadership, strategic thinking and professional integrity.
Umesh Desai, ProCon Leicestershire chair, said: “The calibre of the exciting young talent we have seen as nominees, finalists and winners in the first two years of the Rising Star has been spectacular. Any employers, whether ProCon members or not, who have similarly impressive professionals at the outset of their careers should put in a nomination as they deserve to be in the industry’s spotlight.”
The 23rd annual ProCon Awards are backed by two corporate sponsors, Salus and Unique Window Systems. Finalists and winners will be celebrated at a ceremony on November 12 at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. The Leicester Mercury’s Business Live is the media partner.
There are eight categories, covering residential and non-residential schemes of various sizes and regeneration projects. The full list is:
- Pam Allardice Rising Star of the Year, sponsored by Galliford Try
- Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Merali Beedle
- Medium Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Knights
- Large Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Procure Partnerships Framework
- Small Residential Scheme of the Year
- Medium Residential Scheme of the Year
- Large Residential Scheme of the Year
- Regeneration Project of the Year
