TRUE Student Ltd’s Emma Fraser has scooped the “Unsung Hero of the Year” award at the Property Week Student Accommodation Awards due to her relentless focus on student wellbeing and incredible operational performance.
It was Emma’s remarkable tenacity, leadership and resilience in adversity
that impressed the judges. Emma’s quick response resulted in saving a student’s
life early this year. Just weeks later, she was then faced with discovering the
tragic death of a student who had passed away. Emma’s compassion and
professionalism in managing these tragedies and communicating effectively with
all involved, in both situations, was something very special.
Then just a month later, when a mains gas leak caused by construction works at
an adjacent location to the Glasgow West End site resulted in the building
being evacuated for 14 hours, Emma stepped into immediate action, setting up a
refuge point in a nearby hotel function room and providing food and essential
supplies, whilst arranging overnight accommodation every single student.
In her role as General Manager, Emma led True Student’s flagship 605-bed
scheme in Glasgow West End, which achieved a 100% occupancy, 10% increase in
rental value, 20% reduction in operating costs and an outstanding 82% guest
retention rate. These results contributed to the business recently selling the
development for £72million to international real estate investment firm, Hines.
Upon receiving the award, Emma said: “I am absolutely over moon to have won the
Unsung Hero Award. I love working for true student and this award makes me feel
so proud of the way that we always put our guest’s wellbeing at the very heart
of everything we do. I couldn’t have won this award without the incredible team
I have around me, and I am looking forward to the exciting years ahead of us as
a business.”
Ben Morley, MD of True Student Ltd, added: “I feel incredibly proud and
delighted that Emma, who is such an inspirational role model within our
business, has been recognised for all her achievements this year. She is an incredible
asset to our business and our brand, consistently leading with pride, passion
& personality.”
Bricks Capital, True Student’s parent company, has ambitious growth plans,
including opening four new PBSA developments next year and another two in the
pipeline for 2021, all of which will be managed and operated by true student.
