South: McKay and Romans join Thames Valley Property Awards

Two new sponsors have been lined up for the fast-growing Thames Valley Property Awards, with plans well underway for the 2015 event on May 14.

McKay Securities plc, the Reading-based commercial property investment company, will sponsor the Outstanding Contribution award at next year’s event.

McKay, which specialises in the development and refurbishment of quality buildings in the South East, recently announced the freehold acquisition of Station Plaza, Theale, from M&G Real Estate for £8.46 million.

Station Plaza consists of three high-quality office buildings totalling 41,646 sq ft, constructed in 1999/2000, with 170 car parking spaces providing a generous ratio of 1:245 sq ft. It is located at Junction 12 of the M4 motorway, on the southern side of Reading. Theale railway station is adjacent to the property, providing a regular service to Reading, London Paddington and mainline stations to the west.

Simon Perkins, managing director of McKay, commented: “Theale is a popular satellite of Reading, providing a good range of amenities together with excellent road and rail communications. These modern office buildings are let at rents significantly below central Reading and we anticipate future increases as rental gains in Reading town centre ripple out. Rail electrification from 2017 will also benefit the property, with improved access to Reading and Crossrail links to London. The lease structure provides the opportunity to work with the tenant to restructure its leases while continuing to benefit from the high yield this acquisition provides.”

McKay’s announcement that it will support Thames Valley Property Awards follows Romans Group, the property services specialist headquartered at Crowthorne, which will sponsor a new category, a Rising Star Property Business award.  This is to be awarded to a company that has shown significant growth in recent years, and the category will be open to a developer, agent, property fund, bank, adviser or other firm – as long as the growth is in the property sector. Nominations will be encouraged from both commercial and residential sectors.

“Founded in 1987, the Romans Group is one of the biggest property success stories of the Thames Valley. It has been growing at a fast rate, and now employs more than 475 people across 29 different locations. Growth has always been a key part of the company’s strategy, via diversification, acquisitions, technology innovation and training, so it is ideally placed to sponsor a Rising Star award, recognising other fast-growing businesses in the region,” said David Murray, publisher of The Business Magazine.

The 2015 Thames Valley Property Awards will take place on May 14, and already interest is high. The event at Ascot Racecourse will be compered by television and radio personality Gyles Brandreth. Up to 400 guests are expected for what promises to be the region’s biggest property dinner.

Thames Valley Property Awards is organised by The Business Magazine and UK Property Forums.