Six women featured in the 10 category winners at his year’s UK Young Surveyor of the Year Awards, which recognise the most inspiring and influential surveyors – aged 35 or under – in the UK.

London-based construction professional Mirona Tomala was crowned ‘UK Young Surveyor of the Year’ at the RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year Awards in London.

A project manager with property and construction consultancy Gleeds, Tomala won the Project Management award, in addition to securing the overall RICS Matrics UK Young Surveyor of the Year title in the face of strong competition from other category winners.

Tomala was one of six women on the list of 10 category winners in a year when female professionals represented almost 40% of those shortlisted, despite making up just 15% of UK surveyors.

The number of women shortlisted this year is 14% higher than in 2018 and 250% higher than in 2014; an increase that that has happened in a period when representation of women in the industry has become much stronger with many more female role models.

RICS Judges said that Tomala was highly deserving of the top accolade for her commitment not only to delivering projects of the highest standard, but also to the wider profession, going above and beyond to develop her team and those in her wider network.

Judges added that Tomala is “a driven and highly effective young surveyor who has a passion for improving the industry and leads by example”. They added: “our profession is in a better place for having Mirona in it”.

Tomala is a languages graduate who worked in electrical wholesaling before qualifying in project management. She initially worked in the affordable housing sector before moving to Gleeds to work in project management where she has worked for over three years.

Tomala has been an active member of RICS Matrics London since 2018, taking the vice chair role in 2021. She co-founded the International Women’s Day networking event and volunteers for Open House events and careers evenings to share her career journey and passion for the role of a chartered surveyor.

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster and presenter Jo Ankier at the Hilton Park Lane where Clement Lau, RICS president, opened the evening.

The following young surveyors were recognised for their outstanding career achievements in their respective sectors and disciplines:

• RICS Matrics UK Young Surveyor of the Year – Mirona Tomala of Gleeds in London
• Apprentice of the Year – Chloe Hartley of Mott McDonald in Yorkshire and Humber
• Asset and Facilities Management – Laura Walker of Bradley Hall Chartered Surveyors in the North East
• Building Surveying – Joe Campbell of Rider Levett Bucknall in Yorkshire and Humber
• Commercial property – Elise Thompson of BPS Chartered Surveyors in the South East
• Land (Rural and Urban) – Abigail Jones of Savills (UK) Ltd in the East of England
• Mentor of the Year – Victoria Carter of AECOM in London
• Project Management – Mirona Tomala of Gleeds in London
• Quantity Surveying & Construction – Javaad Khalil of Consult North in the North East
• Residential property – Joe Fraser of Joe Fraser Chartered Surveyors in the North East
• Valuation – Kevin Keane of e.surv Chartered Surveyors in Scotland

This year’s jury panel consisted of ten industry leaders who said all this year’s award winners – and their employers – “should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved”.

They said: “They have demonstrated that they are not only having a profoundly positive impact on their respective markets and workplaces but are also going above and beyond to help ensure our industry continues to have a positive impact on society and attracts and retains the brightest talent.”