News on the Block launches Porter of the Year Award 2010

Porters and concierges are straightening their ties in Cambridge, polishing their skeleton keys in London, and sweeping the leaves in Cardiff, as News on the Block announces that it is on the hunt to find the UK’s top caretaker with the announcement of the 2010 Porter of the Year (POTY) award.

News on the Block - the UK’s dedicated information and advice service for flat owners and managers is looking for residents in apartment blocks up and down the UK to nominate their own porter for the Award which recognises the hard work and commitment of the porters, concierges and caretakers looking after more than 1.5million flats throughout the country.

Moving rubbish, organising contractors, fixing leaky taps, sorting mail and deliveries, dealing with unwelcome visitors, being on call 24/7 and fulfilling unusual requests are just a few of the wide range of jobs porters face on a daily basis – the ability to cope with these challenges as well as taking care of residents, approachability and commitment to the job will be what the judges will be looking for to help make their decision.

Isy Barrett from Cambridge received the inaugural POTY honours in 2009, staving off tough competition from five men at prestigious London apartments. All thanks to her dedication and care for her residents at the Cambridge Belvedere.

“Porters often go unnoticed but are essential to the smooth running of apartment buildings. We are happy to yet again be able to recognise the hard work of the more than 12,500 porters across the UK who do are so dedicated to making their residents lives easier,” says Nicolas Shulman, founder, News on the Block.

The winner of the 2010 Porter of the Year Award will be announced at the Block Insure Property Management Awards 2010 organised by News on the Block at a prestigious ceremony in London on the 6th December 2010. Eight other awards will be presented at the black tie ceremony, organised by News on the Block magazine, which will recognise the excellence and professionalism of all specialists working in the apartment property sector, at an individual and company level.