Industry news

„In my view, the Ödön Lechner Award is also a success for Magyar Építők” – interview with Gergely Hegedűs

Published

2025. 12. 15. 08:30

Magyar Építők

Photos by Mihály Nagy/magyarepitok.hu

He works to raise the reputation of individual professionals or companies to a level commensurate with their performance.

This year, our newspaper has again devoted several articles to the winners of the ÉVOSZ end-of-year gala held on 10 December, so you can read about the award-winning projects at award-winning projects or marketing communication awards.

In our interview, we would like to bring our readers a little closer to Lechner Ödön Award. Gergely Hegedűs, who

„Through his work as editor-in-chief, he has laid the foundations for the achievements, innovations and key projects of the domestic construction industry to be presented to the public in an authentic, transparent and professionally demanding manner.”

-can be read in the official tribute.

At first glance, a rock-hard world took shape within him.

As editor-in-chief, you see the challenges and successes of the industry up close every day. Has there been a defining moment or project in recent years that has personally changed your relationship with the profession?

It was a remarkable moment when, ten years ago, the founder of the newspaper, József Oltyán, entrusted me with the task of building a new construction industry news site. The way he handed me the keys to the then empty Budapest office, the way he came over from Kecskemét once a week to discuss the processes, and the way he motivated me for the task, all had a tremendous driving force. Before that, I had worked as a sports journalist for 12 years in the sports sections of Westelpress, Mobilpress and then Origo; I had a love for the profession, linked to the creation of various types of content, mainly reports and interviews.

At the same time, Magyar Építők gave me my first taste of what it feels like to build new processes and systems: applying my previous experience and participating in the birth of a new media outlet as a manager as well as a journalist. That had its own charm.

The other thing I would highlight is not one thing, but many small moments that formed a strong bond between me and the construction industry. I am thinking primarily of the interviews, conversations and fieldwork in which I got to know new engineers or company managers in the sector. At first glance, the industry seemed like a tough world, with strict deadlines and penalties, huge investments and harsh players. What's more, at the time, their social reputation was at an all-time low, so it's understandable that they were quite distrustful of the first inquiries from journalists.

Then, once I managed to get past the security walls, it turned out that these professionals often deliver outstanding performance based on their excellent expertise, which, of course, no one had mentioned before. What's more, in many cases I have experienced and continue to experience astonishing modesty, great humility towards their profession, enormous life experience and a clear set of values – these are always memorable encounters for me, and they give me so much!

An important driving force when values reach the public

The award recognises long-term, persistent work in the interests of the sector. What is the internal motivation or set of values that has driven you towards professional excellence for so many years?

It is difficult to put into words what makes it feel so good to come into the editorial office every day, regardless of our situation in terms of the pile of work or our market position. What is certain is that I can draw a lot from the excellent team that has been built up over the years, which plays just as big a role in this Ödön Lechner Award as I do: in my eyes, the Ödön Lechner Award is also a success for Magyar Építők! It is important to emphasise that, in addition to our joint professional successes, the human values demonstrated by the team members play an equally important role in my motivation.

Another important driving force for me is when we see that well-crafted content or even well-planned and executed project communication conveys values to the public and raises the reputation of a given project, professional or company to a level commensurate with its performance. This feeling always fills you with new energy.

Behind professional communication, there are always people: is there any background support, person or habit without which you would not be able to do your job with such dedication?

I cannot and do not want to miss the opportunity to express my gratitude to my family, as I always do at the end of similar interviews. The media spotlight is unpredictable, so my wife's flexibility plays a big role in my performance, as do her caring attention and wise advice. At the same time, I must also pay tribute to my parents, because they have supported me brilliantly on a long journey – and continue to do so to this day – which has led us to this award.

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