James Barrack honoured at the Scottish Property Awards 2022

Knight Property Group finalist in hat-trick of property awards

Elevator Award's Entrepreneur of the Year 2019

James Barrack, Managing Director of Knight Property Group and chairman of Chess Group was named as 2019’s Entrepreneur of the Year. The property developer has been and continues to be hugely influential in the commercial property sector, successfully growing the group for more than twenty-one years. His community driven initiatives and longstanding support of The Prince’s Trust were also praised by industry peers.

Entrepreneur of the Year, James Barrack, said: “I am honoured to be named Elevator’s 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year. To be a successful entrepreneur you need to have a supportive team around you; I would like to share this recognition with my team and thank them for their unparalleled commitment to Knight Property Group and Chess Group. “Entrepreneurship is more than just running a business; it is a journey we are all on together. The support businesses receive from Elevator is instrumental in helping them grow from the foundations up. The team’s support continues to be influential for our region’s economy and its thriving entrepreneurs, helping each fulfil their dreams and ambitions.”

4 North titled Deal of the Year 2018 at Scottish Property Awards.

Knight Property Group were awarded Deal of the Year for the landmark Edinburgh redevelopment, 4 North at the 2018 Scottish Property Awards. The award-winning deal involves the pre-let of the entire property at 4 North, St Andrew Square to Computershare on a 20 year lease at rental level which have set a new high for offices in Edinburgh.

Director at JLL, Cameron Stott said “Knight Property Group continue to provide high quality office accommodation in both Aberdeen and now Edinburgh. The success they have achieved in Aberdeen despite the downturn has been a testament to the company’s work. Having continued their expansion out with the North East, the team have successfully developed their presence by securing Computershare’s new Headquarters in the city centre, emphasising the company’s ability to spot sound investment opportunities and shows their keen eye for detail.”

Knight Property Group awarded Best New Build outside Central London.

Knight Property Group’s development, The Capitol, on Union Street continues to bring success to the company. It was awarded Best New Build outside Central London at the OAS Development Awards 2017. Since reaching completion, the £35 million project has been awarded a number of high calibre awards, with the most recent being Business Council for Offices regional Commercial Workplace of the Year and OAS Awards Best New Build outside Central London.

In addition to the building itself, Knight Property Group have also been recognised by Scottish Property Awards for City Centre Regeneration Project of the Year which celebrated the positive impact that the redevelopment of The Capitol had on Aberdeen City.

Knight Property Group awarded 'City Regeneration of the Year' at Scottish Property Awards

Knight Property Group have been awarded ‘City Regeneration of the Year’ at the 2016 Scottish Property Awards. The 3rd annual Scottish Property Awards, the independent programme which celebrates excellence in commercial property, revealed 18 winners across 16 categories with winners spanning the country.The Capitol on Union Street, a joint venture between Knight Property Group and M&G Real Estate collected the prize for City Regeneration Project of the Year.

Fiona Morton, Chair of the Scottish Property Awards judging panel, commented,“Congratulations to all our finalists and winners announced in the 3rd Scottish Property Awards. I know how tough the competition is and how important it is to win. Judging was a terrific opportunity to assess the many great developments going on in our sector across the country and encouraging seeing some really good examples of regeneration, innovative design and excellent sales and marketing.”

Top Industry Awards for The Capitol building

The Capitol office building on Union Street, Aberdeen, has been recognised as one of the best workplaces in Scotland. The BCO awards recognise the highest quality developments in the UK and sets the standard for excellence in the regional and national office sector.

The Capitol was crowned as the winner of the best commercial workplace category at the British Council for Offices’ (BCO) regional property sectors awards Judges claimed The Capitol, a join venture between Knight Property Group and M&G Real Estate was “one of the finest exampled of regeneration in action.” They also said the refurbishment of the former cinema was a “Masterclass in high-quality building restoration.” BCO Chief executive Richard Kauntze said, “The Capitol has provided an addition to the office market that Aberdeen can be proud of for many generations to come.”

36th Grampian Industrialist of the year

The 36th Grampian Industrialist of the year was named as James Barrack.

The annual event organised by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Aberdeen recognises outstanding commercial success. Mr Barrack, 45, is chairman and managing director of Knight Property Group and Chess Group.

JCI Aberdeen President David Derbyshire said: “James has led and grown Knight Property Group and Chess Group over a 15-year period, both organically and through joint venture. James represents the importance and strength of family businesses in the north-east economy, which is a great tradition of this award. In his business achievements, as well as his commitment to the Prince’s Trust in Scotland, James represents what the Grampian Industrialist Award is all about.”

James had this to say: “I am delighted. Above all, this is recognition of the hard work and long-term commitment of the team at Knight and Chess over many years. It also highlights the importance of property development in the local economy, as an enabler of growth for other sectors.”

Scottish Developer of the Year 2009

Knight Property Group was named “Developer of the Year” at the prestigious Scottish Property Awards 2009 hosted by Property Week in Edinburgh.

Knight Property Group contested the title alongside some of the country’s biggest names in property, namely BAM Properties (formerly HBG Properties), Buccleuch, Macdonald Estates, Premier Property Group and Scottish Widows.

Deals were concluded during the period with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company – Taqa Bratani, Bristow Helicopters, Total E+P, Seabrokers, Eurocopter, BlueSky Business Space and Fugro Improv. Furthermore, both the single largest office letting and private sale were concluded by Knight Property Group at its Westpoint Business Park development.

James Barrack added: “Everyone at Knight Property Group is proud and honoured to receive this accolade which was voted for by fellow professionals in the industry.

We would like to thank all our tenants, property agents, professionals, contractors and suppliers who have worked closely with us over this time and helped make this award a reality.”