A job well done: Hornchurch man is porter of the year

DARING lift rescues and preventing fires are all in a day’s work for a Hornchurch man named Porter of the Year.

Redouane Houjabi, a concierge of The Water Gardens, in Canary Wharf, London, received the News on the Block accolade during The Property Management Awards last week.

The 46-year-old, known as Red to friends, beat seven other contenders to the title because of his can do attitude, dedication to residents, and his 19 years in the business.

Red was nominated by his bosses at Chainbow following incredible feedback from tenants and owners of his building.

Leaky washing machines, blown lightbulbs and dodgy fountains have all been spotted by Red before they spawned into bigger problems - saving tenants and bosses a small fortune.

But it was his heroic acts which catapulted him in front competition - including helping a hyperventilating man stuck in an elevator climb to safety, and preventing catastrophe when he realised a resident had left a pot burning on a stove.

Nicolas Shulman, from News on the Block, said “There are more than 12,500 porters looking after more than an estimated three million flats in the UK. Porters are crucial in the smooth running of apartment buildings.

“This is an award for those unnoticed few who open doors, greet tired residents coming home from work with a cheery smile and fix pipes when the plumbers aren’t available. We are very proud to recognise the work of Redouane and his colleagues with these awards.”

Red has been employed with The Water Gardens since it opened more than three years ago.