BRESI’s strategic marketing partner, Chris Graham, managing director of Graham Associates, has been named Industry Icon at the inaugural Global Branded Residence Awards 2026.
The awards ceremony was held online on 2 October and was hosted by Boutique Hotel News editor Eloise Hanson alongside International Hospitality Media CEO Piers Brown.
Industry Icon – GBRA 2026
The Industry Icon award recognises an individual who has made a lasting contribution to the branded residences industry. It celebrates those whose work has helped shape the sector, influence its development and raise industry standards over many years.
The judging considered each nominee’s career and achievements, business expertise and contribution to the branded residences market.
The panel selected five finalists from a comprehensive list of nominations, with the winner decided by an online public vote.
Graham was shortlisted alongside Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group, John Hitchcox, founder of YOO, Dean Main, founder of Rhodium, and Kevin Wash, partner at VOS Business Consultants.
About Chris Graham
Chris Graham is managing director of Graham Associates, a London-based consultancy founded in 2008. He has spent more than two decades working with residential and mixed-use real estate developers around the world, building a portfolio of landmark projects.
Graham Associates specialises in marketing and brand strategy, product definition, marketing materials and lead generation, with a focus on driving sales.
Graham is also a frequent industry commentator and international speaker and the author of Branded Residences: An Overview and Branded Residences: A Compendium.
Graham’s Industry Icon win, decided by a public vote, reflects the reputation he has built over more than two decades working across luxury real estate and his contribution to the overall growth of the branded residences sector.
About the Global Branded Residence Awards 2026
More than 150 entries from around the world were submitted for the Global Branded Residence Awards 2026, recognising achievements across a broad range of categories spanning regional markets, design, technology, sales and marketing, industry contribution and the World’s Best Branded Residence.
Marriott International was among the most recognised names at the awards, taking five wins across a range of categories. This included top honours for World’s Best Branded Residence for Bulgari Residences Dubai.
Other winners included The OWO Residences by Raffles, which took both Best Urban Branded Residence and Europe’s Best Branded Residence, while DigiValet received Innovative Use of Technology and Proud Real Estate was recognised for Best Sales and Marketing Campaign for The Residences at InterContinental Phuket Resort.
Dayiana Oballos Mora was named Innovator of the Year, while Global Branded Residences took the Strategic Partner of the Year title.
The judging panel included leading voices in branded residences, luxury hospitality, real estate, investment, brand strategy, communications and experience design from across the globe and was chaired by Eloise Hanson, editor of Boutique Hotel News.
Sponsors and supporting partners: Buildable, C1 Capital, Future Hospitality Summit, The AHA Group, BRESI, C9 Hotelworks, GRAF London, Delivering Asia, Douglas Elliman, Graham Associates, Luxulting, Savills, Strategic Hospitality Consulting and VOS Business Consultants.
Established in 2024, BRESI is the world’s first dedicated global gateway for the branded residences industry, connecting buyers, property developers and brands across every major market. The platform provides a developer-focused global marketplace, industry news and media and a strategic partner network of leading advisory companies in the sector.
