Birmingham-based mechanical engineer, Bongai Muyambo, was named Graduate of the Year at the fourth annual British Council for Offices (BCO) NextGen Awards on Tuesday November 12th.
The awards dinner, which took place at The Porter Tun, London, was attended by the country’s top designers, developers, architects and occupiers under the age of 35. It celebrated the achievements and successes of young professionals in the commercial property sector across the UK, and the leaders who have inspired them.
The judges were taken aback by the incredible impact Bongai has had not only on her firm, but across the wider industry in just a year.
The awards dinner, which took place at The Porter Tun, London, was attended by the country’s top designers, developers, architects and occupiers under the age of 35. It celebrated the achievements and successes of young professionals in the commercial property sector across the UK, and the leaders who have inspired them.
The judges were taken aback by the incredible impact Bongai has had not only on her firm, but across the wider industry in just a year.
As well as excelling in her role as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, Bongai has improved wellness across the firm’s workplace and played a pivotal role in organising mental health awareness events internally. In addition, she has been a key voice in the firm’s work with Aston University, where she mentors the next generation of female engineers. Her colleagues strongly praised her understanding of engineering and her passion for her work, a combination which the judges agree make her an excellent ambassador for the industry.
Bongai wasn’t the region’s only winner last night, with Gensler’s Roxana Botezatu crowned Rising Star of the Midlands.
The Awards are part of the BCO’s NextGen programme, which sets out to mentor and encourage the next generation of professionals to become future leaders in the industry, whilst providing a platform for new talent to share ideas.
Joe Huddleston, Design Manager at Gensler and Chair of the BCO NextGen Midlands chapter, said: “The impact Graduate of the year, Bongai has made in such a short space of time is remarkable. Both Roxana and Bongai are assets to our NextGen community, my congratulations to you both on your win.”
Richard Kauntze, chief executive of the BCO, commented: “The NextGen community continue to be a source of pride for us here at the BCO. The future of our industry is very much in their hands which is why we believe it’s so important to recognise and celebrate the impressive work they deliver for us day in, day out. Each of our winners has contributed to their region’s most impressive developments – My congratulations to you all, you should be very proud.”
For more information about the awards and the winners this year visit the BCO NextGen website (www.bconextgen.co.uk).
Bongai wasn’t the region’s only winner last night, with Gensler’s Roxana Botezatu crowned Rising Star of the Midlands.
The Awards are part of the BCO’s NextGen programme, which sets out to mentor and encourage the next generation of professionals to become future leaders in the industry, whilst providing a platform for new talent to share ideas.
Joe Huddleston, Design Manager at Gensler and Chair of the BCO NextGen Midlands chapter, said: “The impact Graduate of the year, Bongai has made in such a short space of time is remarkable. Both Roxana and Bongai are assets to our NextGen community, my congratulations to you both on your win.”
Richard Kauntze, chief executive of the BCO, commented: “The NextGen community continue to be a source of pride for us here at the BCO. The future of our industry is very much in their hands which is why we believe it’s so important to recognise and celebrate the impressive work they deliver for us day in, day out. Each of our winners has contributed to their region’s most impressive developments – My congratulations to you all, you should be very proud.”
For more information about the awards and the winners this year visit the BCO NextGen website (www.bconextgen.co.uk).
PICTURE: Graduate mechanical engineer, Bongai Muyambo.
![2024 05 08 HotpodYoga Pod 0012[43]](https://colmorelife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2024-05-08-HotpodYoga-Pod-001243.jpg)
