A property 'Oscar' for Guernsey-based CPC

GUERNSEY'S highest profile property developer has picked up an award at the UK industry's equivalent of the Oscars. CPC Group scooped the accolade of Residential Property Developer of the Year at the Property Week Awards.

The company, which operates out of the Bordage with 10 staff, has enjoyed a busy year. Earlier this month it secured the Chelsea Barracks site in London and a prestigious Beverly Hills site within the famous 90210 postcode within the same week. Both deals included partnerships with financial backers.

In February the group announced the development of 86 luxury flats and three exclusive boutiques in Knightsbridge on the 1, Hyde Park site. Its four penthouses are on the market for £84m. apiece and are currently Britain's most expensive residential properties.

It also has plans to convert the Middlesex Hospital into 273 luxury homes and offices. It also owns two adjacent Thistle hotels in Kensington which it intends to convert to residential.

The glitzy ceremony was hosted by TV entertainer Jonathan Ross.

London entrepreneur Christian Candy set up CPC Group three-and-a-half years ago.

He appointed Steven Smith, who had lived locally for more than six years, as chief finance director. Richard Williams moved to the island as chief operating officer two years ago.

Property Week editor Giles Barrie presented the award to Nicholas Candy, who accepted it in his brother's absence.

The multimillionaire brothers head up the world-renowned interior design firm Candy and Candy.

Mr Smith said: 'The Candy and Candy link will always be asked of us and it is no secret that Christian Candy owns the company. But the difference is they are interior designers based in London and we are property developers based in the Guernsey.'

In all its projects it employs some of the world's top consultants, contractors, architects and interior designers.

'Candy and Candy are a big client of ours and we use them on a lot of projects.'

CPC Group beat off tough competition from many of the UK's biggest developers.

Mr Williams said it recognised the precedents the company set.

'We are creative in our thinking and are always keen to investigate new ideas and meet new people with whom we can work,' he said.

'This is a well deserved achievement and was made possible by the commitment of the entire team - we are very proud!'

CPC has dramatic growth plans and intends to double the number of staff by the end of the year. It expects to be employing 35 people locally by 2009.

More than 1,800 of the country's top property individuals attended the glamorous occasion which was hosted at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.