Date: Thu 22nd April, 2010
Venue: The Lowry Hotel, Manchester, M3 5LH
Number of Guests Attended: 300
The Insider Young Professionals Awards is always a fun night out. The event is one of the few times when our up-and-coming talent is let out to play by their bosses and celebrate the important role played by employees early in their careers. This year’s bash was a belter with nearly 300 packed into the Lowry Hotel on 22 April.
Insider editor Michael Taylor compered the event with speeches by deputy editor Rupert Cornford and last year’s overall winner David Hunt, digital director at Creative Lynx. Hunt told the audience that winning the award in 2009 had opened many doors within the city, and hailed efforts by Pro Manchester to strengthen relationships with the burgeoning creative and digital sector.
“Despite the global economic challenges, we’re all looking for ways to collaborate, grow and create competitive business advantages,” Hunt said. “Recently we held an event entitled ‘Earning a buck in the digital age’, which looked at why digital agencies can’t afford professional services and why professionals services can’t afford digital services. I would argue that in the current climate neither can afford to be without the other.”
Hunt handed over the title of young professional of the year to Marc Duschenes from Hale-based property fund manager Braemar Group, who has built up the business over the past eight years from four to 40 staff and almost £1bn of assets under management. Duschenes, who also picked up the award for young entrepreneur in professional services told Insider why operating in the region was so important to him.
“I grew up here and went to school here, and have maintained strong links with Manchester Grammar School. After setting up the company in London back in 2002, there was never any doubt that we would move back to the North West. London is a big city, but Manchester is an adorable city.”
Duschenes said the tough economic climate hadn’t forced the company to stand still. “Two years ago I would have said it was all about survival; a year ago I’d have said growth. And we have delivered that. We have grown through the recession and that’s why I’m proud of our achievements.”
After building the company up over eight years from four to 40 staff, and relocating its base from the South East back to the region, Duchenes is aiming to build funds under management to £100m with assets under management to £1bn. The company recently announced that its estates division has won a contract to manage the two Beetham Tower buildings in Manchester and Birmingham.
The event raised more than £2,000 for the NSPCC.
This year's winners
Young Professional Marc Duschenes, Braemar Group
Young Accountant Sam Woodward, Ernst & Young
Young Banker and Financier Miles Rothbury, Barclays Corporate
Young Dealmaker Stuart Goldblatt, KPMG
Young Entrepreneur in Professional Services Marc Duschenes, Braemar Group
Young Lawyer Andrew Green, Addleshaw Goddard
Young Marketing and Media Professional Andy Poole, Weber Shandwick
Young Property Professional Anna Henshaw, Sheppard Robson
Young Stockbroker/Financial Adviser David Tod, Brown Shipley
Special Contribution Award David Bargh, Ernst & Young
Click here for Sponsors & Winners
