From bedroom to boardroom: conference back for estate agency franchise EweMove

EweMove kicks off another 7-year plan for growth as nearly 250 people flocked to St George’s Park in Staffordshire this weekend for their first in-person conference since 2019. Themed as From Bedroom to Boardroom, the event recognised the challenges the pandemic had brought the industry and how the network had navigated that with professional style and good spirit.

Following the review of the last seven years of expansion for the brand by Managing Director, Nick Neill, the CEO of The Property Franchise Group, Gareth Samples, talked more about the opportunities the group would bring through financial services provision including the acquisition of Mortgage Genie. With grand goals to double the size of the network again in the next three years, the EweMove team brought together specialists in market intelligence, customer support services and professional development for a day of learning and sharing best practice. 

Sales guru, Tony Morris, talked about how to generate more opportunities in your business and maximise your share of wallet in the home-moving journey. Keynote speaker David Abbott captured the delegates’ attention with his practical tips on pricing strategies, proving that if agents can deliver exceptional customer service, they can command exceptional fees too.

Helen Garratt, EweMove Grantham North, took a Q&A session on how she charges 0.5% above the national average fee on her property sales.

Said Helen: “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 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. “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,” said Martin. 

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. “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,” said James. 

2022 winners:

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

For more information on the EweMove franchise opportunity, visit the profile page>>