EweMove kicked off its 10th anniversary celebrations in style as over 250 people flocked to the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel on 31st March to attend their annual franchise conference.
This year suppliers added to the EweMove goodies to fill party bags for the 10th birthday party conference – what kind of birthday party would it be without those? Recognising the incredible work EweMove franchisees deliver every day since launching in 2013, everyone reflected on their ongoing commitment and passion for producing industry leading results, even during the uncertain times for the economy and property market we have all experienced over the last decade.
Following the success of last year’s conference which established the next seven-year plan for the brand, EweMove’s Managing Director, Nick Neill and CEO of The Property Franchise Group, Gareth Samples, welcomed delegates to the conference by discussing progress and further plans. Now with their plan to (again) double the size of the network, the EweMove team brought together specialists in market intelligence, customer support services and professional development for a day of learning and sharing best practice.
Special guest brands attended the event to discuss the power of utilising technology, and how developments within the digital space contribute heavily to the continued marketing and promotional efforts of franchisees. The first session, delivered by iProspect, was about the next 10 years of media, while Google’s product marketing manager Fabrice Pradel followed by wowing the audience with his take on the future of marketing and the power of AI. Keynote speaker and author Jez Rose later captured the delegates’ imagination by taking a deep dive into his work on behaviourist insights, helping franchisees understand the behaviours and habits of customers.
“In 2015 I started working for a EweMove franchisee as an associate and then took over their franchise in 2019. It’s changed a lot in terms of technology over that time, but one thing has never changed – the support and how head office is with you. We feel like we’re in safe hands with our suppliers and events like this mean we can catch up with the whole team face-to-face. You come away from days like today educated, invigorated and with a bounce in your step,” said Jonathan Dawson from EweMove York.
As the conference drew to a close, attention turned to a night of celebration. With the flock celebrating a huge milestone for EweMove at this year’s conference, everyone was eager to get into their finery for the annual EweMove Black Tie Awards Party.
Best Newcomer was awarded to EweMove Redcar & Guisborough who joined the franchise in June 2022. Franchisee Sean Fairbridge has made an impressive entrance into the market with less than a year under his belt.
Sean said, “Listing 33 properties in my first 6 months, from a cold start with no agency experience, just goes to show how effective the EweMove marketing machine is and the support, through people and systems, helps me to grow my business locally.”
Father-and-son duo Dave and James Roberts with business partners Will Williamson and Jordan Tewson have recently renewed their franchise agreement as they look to grow their team.
Dave said, “I had a dream… that I could grow a business with my longstanding friend and business partner Will, that I could hand over to my son James. And we’ve done it! With Jordan on board too, we now have a management structure that is leading a growing team of excellent agents covering our two high street shops in Beeston, Long Eaton & Sandiacre. It’s very humbling to win Franchise of the Year among this incredible group of franchisees.”
Nick Neill added, “The team at Beeston & Long Eaton has been an incredible group of agents since they started back in 2014. They have steadily and reliably grown their business and positioned themselves as the go-to agents in their territory. Not only that, they’ve built a superb team of people demonstrating their people management and people development skills. And their social media game is world class. Truly, very deserving winners.”
Full 2023 winners list:
Best Average Fee – Mark Allen, EweMove Aberdeen
Most Completions (Lets) – EweMove Beeston
Most Completions (Sales) – EweMove Basingstoke
Best Customer Service (NPS Lettings) – Neil Beglin, EweMove Brighton & Hove
Best Customer Service (NPS Sales) – Paul Chant, EweMove Northampton North
Best Customer Service (Trustpilot) – EweMove Bexleyheath
Rising Star – Mike Bailey, EweMove Stafford
Best Individual – Julie Hopkins, EweMove Waterloo & Litherland
Best Partnership – Steve & Denise Russell, EweMove Lutterworth
Best Team – EweMove Northampton North
Best Newcomer – Sean Fairbridge, EweMove Redcar & Guisborough
Brand Ambassador – James Hillier
Special Recognition – Deborah Lofthouse
Supplier of the Year – My Photo Genie
Associate of the Year – James Cramp
Sheep Pen Team Member of the Year – Ellie Worby
Franchise of the Year – Beeston & Long Eaton
