Young Surveyor or Commercial Manager of the Year — Winner: Rachel Cunningham, Soben (part of Accenture)
Rachel Cunningham has been named Young Surveyor or Commercial Manager of the Year, honoured for her exceptional commercial acumen, leadership capability, and her impressive impact across major projects at Soben, now part of Accenture. In a discipline where precision, strategic thinking, and client confidence are essential, Rachel has distinguished herself as a rising industry leader who delivers all three with strength and consistency.
Her ability to manage high-value commercial portfolios, navigate contractual complexity, and influence project outcomes with clarity and confidence made her the standout choice for this year’s award.
Why She Won
Rachel’s nomination stood out for its demonstration of commercial excellence, her rapid career progression, and the strong trust placed in her by colleagues and clients alike. Judges praised her maturity, analytical skill, and her ability to balance strategic decision-making with the hands-on commercial management required to keep major schemes on track.
Her work has consistently contributed to improved financial outcomes, strengthened project governance, and elevated industry standards.
What Set Her Apart
Outstanding Commercial Leadership
Rachel has shown exceptional ability in managing commercial aspects of technically complex and high-value projects. Her work in cost planning, risk forecasting, financial reporting, and contract administration has been consistently accurate and strategically aligned with client and project priorities.
Strategic Problem-Solving
Her strength lies not only in numbers but in the wider commercial narrative behind them. She is trusted to identify risks early, propose viable mitigation measures, and present solutions that enhance value and minimise exposure. This level of insight, delivered at her career stage, was a key factor in her win.
Client Trust and Relationship Building
Rachel is frequently commended by clients for her professionalism, clarity of communication, and ability to translate complex commercial data into actionable decisions. She is often the commercial lead clients look to for assurance, demonstrating a degree of trust rarely afforded to someone so early in their profession.
Advancing Business Performance
Her contributions have directly strengthened Soben’s commercial performance, improving reporting processes, reducing cost leakage, and helping secure repeat business. Her structured, methodical approach ensures stakeholders receive the highest standard of commercial governance.
Championing Diversity & Emerging Talent
Rachel is known not only for her technical skill but for her commitment to encouraging the next generation—particularly women entering the commercial and surveying professions. She actively supports early career colleagues, offering guidance and leading by example.
The Impact
Rachel has rapidly become a key figure within Soben’s commercial team, known for delivering high-quality work under pressure and across time-critical project environments. Her accuracy, diligence, and strategic awareness have elevated project outcomes and enhanced team capability.
Her influence can be felt across her organisation—strengthening commercial performance, raising standards of reporting, and setting a powerful example for future surveyors and commercial managers.
A Deserving Winner
Rachel Cunningham embodies the qualities celebrated by the Young Surveyor or Commercial Manager of the Year Award: technical excellence, commercial leadership, and an unwavering commitment to industry best practice. Her achievements mark her as one of the most promising young commercial professionals in the sector, and her recognition is richly deserved.