EweMove managing director Nick Neill has set out plans to double the size of the franchise network by 2025 as the brand’s agents gathered for their first in-person conference and awards ceremony since 2019.
Almost 250 people, including industry suppliers and Ewemove franchisees flocked to St George’s Park in Staffordshire for the event last weekend.
Themed as From Bedroom to Boardroom, the gathering recognised the challenges the pandemic had brought the industry and how the network has navigated that with professional style and good spirit.
Neill told Estate Agent Today: “We wanted our franchisees to think about how we get back out of that confined space and into longer term strategic thinking.
“Franchisees were asked to consider their long term aims and how that fits with our business growth ambitions.
“Our plan is to grow to plus 400 agents by the start of 2025.
“Having a national presence gives us better brand recognition from a customer perspective and by default helps franchise owners with awareness in their territory.
“One of the things that is strong about our brand is the high level of customer service delivery and our processes that helps sell houses more quickly.”
Speaking at the event, Gareth Samples, chief executive of EweMove parent company The Property Franchise Group, talked more about the opportunities created through financial services provision including the acquisition of Mortgage Genie.
Helen Garratt of EweMove Grantham North took a Q&A session on how she charges 0.5% above the national average fee on her property sales.
She said: “This is not my first business and not my first franchise either.
“After many successful years in business ownership but not quite so successfully retiring, I decided to join EweMove for my final business venture.
“Coming together at an event like this is one of the big reasons I chose EweMove at this point in my career. Everyone here places customer service to the high standard I do and it’s an incredibly supportive environment. This conference has inspired me to even greater things for the rest of 2022 and beyond.”
As the conference drew to a close, attention turned to a night of recognition and celebration.
Having recognised the network last year via a virtual ceremony, everyone was eager to transform into their finery for the annual EweMove Awards Party.
Best Newcomer was awarded to EweMove Colne Valley and Wakefield East, who joined the franchise just over a year ago.
The partnership of Robert Hammond and Martin Mellor has seen them make an impressive entrance into the market.
Martin said: “When we joined EweMove, we had years of experience in telecoms and customer service but very little in estate agency. This award shows what you can do when you surround yourself with the best people.”
The team at EweMove Bexleyheath took home the Franchise of the Year award.
Robert Bearsby and James Hillier rebranded their business in 2017 as they set out on a growth trajectory and with four territories now operational, they were worthy recipients of the night’s biggest award.
James said: “We’re ecstatic! We didn’t expect to win it, so the team are over the moon. It’s nice to be acknowledged by your peers, people who you really enjoy working with - it means a lot.”
The full list of 2022 winners are:
Best Average Fee - EweMove Wapping & Bow
Most Completions (Lets) - EweMove Beeston & Long Eaton
Most Completions (Sales) - EweMove Basingstoke
Best Customer Service (NPS Lettings) - Graham Faulkner, EweMove Dorking
Best Customer Service (NPS Sales) - Carl Green, EweMove Rossendale
Best Customer Service (Trustpilot) - EweMove Bexleyheath
Exceptional Customer Service Recognition - Amy Dodd, EweMove Taunton
Rising Star - EweMove Finchley & Whetstone
Best Individual - Helen Garratt, EweMove Grantham North
Best Partnership - EweMove Sleaford & Grantham South
Best Team - EweMove Stamford & Spalding
Best Newcomer - EweMove Colne Valley and Wakefield East
Brand Ambassador - Adie McCarthy, EweMove Oakham & Market Harborough
Special Recognition - Gus Critchlow, EweMove Hinckley
Supplier of the Year - Moneypenny
Associate of the Year - Kevin Thomas, EweMove Bexleyheath
Sheep Pen Team Member of the Year - Liz Longhurst
.jpg){kind=avatar}
%20A%20property%20tale%20for%20our%20times.png)
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment (please use the comment box below)
Please login to comment