The Belvedere's building manager and head porter, Isy Barrett, has been named the UK's best porter.

Isy, who has worked at The Belvedere since 2007, was the only lady shortlisted in the category, which formed part of the News on the Block Property Management Awards 2009. There are 10,000 porters in the UK, so to make it to the final six was an extraordinary achievement in itself. But Isy went one better and beat the five other men, all from London, to win the award, which was presented to her last night by radio and TV presenter Gary Richardson at a glittering ceremony held in Tower Hill.

Residents at Cambridge's Belvedere will know Isy well; charged with overseeing the maintenance and cleaning of the building, as well as managing the team of porters who work with her and the concierge services that they
offer, Isy has met and greeted most people who've ever passed through the door and is an integral part of daily life there.

Before joining Encore, Isy worked at Greens Health and Fitness as reception manager. She was delighted to be taking the title of UK's Best Porter home with her, saying: "It's not quite sunk in yet - I am thrilled! In the two years that I've been at The Belvedere and with Encore I've had to learn a lot, but it's great and we have a brilliant team here. I am so pleased and proud."

Nicolas Shulman, from News on the Block, who created the award, said: "This is an award for the unnoticed few who open doors, clean clothes, mend pipes and greet residents with a cheery smile when they return to their homes. We are very proud to recognise the work of Isy and her colleagues with these awards."

Meanwhile Encore's directors, Stephen Chard and Neil Robinson, agreed: "We are delighted for Isy. This award recognises the work done by the unsung heroes of residential developments - the porters - as well as Isy's own unswerving commitment to the job."