London Porter Takes Top Honours: Redouane Houjabi Named Porter of the Year 2010

LONDON,(PRNewswire/WorldTourismNews.eu)

Forty-six year old Essex man Redouane Houjabi, concierge of The Water Gardens in Canada Water, Canary Wharf, London, has been named the News on the Block "Porter of the Year" during The Property Management Awards ceremony held at Lord's Cricket Ground on the 6th December.

Redouane, known as Red to colleagues and friends, beat seven other contenders to the title because of his outstanding "can do" attitude, dedication to residents and his 19 years dedication to the concierge business.

While many believe a concierge's duties consists of signing for parcels and making sure public areas are kept tidy, Red was nominated by his bosses at Chainbow because of the incredible feedback from tenants and owners of his building and his tireless day-to-day handling of sticky situations. Whether leaky washing machines, blown lightbulbs or dodgy fountains, Red's spotting of early stage problems before turning into expensive repairs have saved his bosses and tenants a small fortune.

But it is his heroic acts which catapulted him to the front of his competition at the Awards. From helping a hyperventilating man stuck in an elevator climb to safety to realising a tenant had left a pot burning on a stove and stopping a fire before it turned into a catastrophe, Red has always been there.

Nicolas Shulman from News on the Block said: "There are more than 12,500 porters looking after more than an estimated 3 million flats in the UK. Porters are crucial in the smooth running of apartment buildings. This is an award for those unnoticed few who open doors, greet tired residents coming home from work with a cheery smile and fix pipes when the plumbers aren't available. We are very proud to recognise the work of Redouane and his colleagues with these Awards."

Red has been employed with The Water Gardens since it opened more than three years ago. He lives in Hornchurch with his wife and three children and is a registered First Aid officer and holds a health and safety certificate.

The other seven finalists for the award were:

   
    - Konrad Grosse, porter of Pullman Court in Streatham Hill,
      London (received a Highly Commended Award)

    - Mo Ghalem, porter of Arundel Square in Islington, London
      (received a Highly Commended Award)

    - Paul Sherwood, porter of Regalty Estates in Manchester
      (received a Highly Commneded Award)

    - Robin Metzner, porter of Bessborough Gardens Estate in
      Plimlico, London

    - Kevin Evans, One Park West in Liverpool

    - Lance Ward, porter of One SE8 development in London

    - John Watson, porter of Park Central, Birmingham


The POTY Award was created by the UK's dedicated information and advice service for flat owners and managers, News on the Block, https://www.newsontheblock.com to acknowledge the hard work of porters and concierges across the UK for their dedication and commitment to the residents and complexes they service.

Note To Editors

Images of the finalists and winner of the Porter of the Year award at the News on the Block Property Management Awards are available on request.

The title sponsor of The Property Management Awards is Block Insure.

The sponsor of the Porter of the Year Award is Ringley managing agents.

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from https://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at https://www.mediapoint.press.net or https://www.prnewswire.co.uk.

Source: News On The Block

Contact: Ken Hooper, +44(0)208-996-9545 or ken.hooper@cherishpr.com