More than 240 delegates from Independent Network companies across the UK came together at the organisation’s ‘Best of British’ themed members’ weekend in Warwick.
The event kicked off with a specially built business centre, where attendees could meet IN’s affiliate partners and learn more about the opportunities for members. In the afternoon, finance director, Graham Fitton, welcomed members, reviewed the financial results for 2017 and conducted the official AGM business before sales director, Neil Evans, discussed recent market developments and expectations for the year ahead.
Marketing director, Dawn Stockell, highlighted the increase in IN brand awareness and leads over the past year, including the news that Fensa will now be recognising the IN insurance-backed guarantee, while business consultant, Jeff Grout, rounded off the afternoon by encouraging members to think more critically about effective leadership and what makes a respected leader in the ‘real world’.
The evening’s black tie gala dinner and awards ceremony was hosted by ex-Bradford City player and manager, Chris ‘Kammy’ Kamara, and included a charity raffle and auction, which – along with table donations – raised over £4,000 for the evening’s four chosen charities: Hayley’s Hugs, Helping Hand, St Gemma’s Hospice and Birchwood Highland.
This year’s award winners were:
Thistle Windows & Conservatories
Cheadle Glass Company
Goliath Homeworld
Wilson Windows
Ffenestri Kevin Thomas
Mews Windows
IN awards are reportedly based on the feedback of ‘thousands’ of customer satisfaction surveys completed each year by homeowners and are decided on a like-for-like basis (with companies competing against other comparable businesses across the country).
This year’s event also included two brand new awards celebrating the hard work of individuals working within Independent Network member companies. Darren Drake of David Brunskill Windows took home ‘Installer of the Year’ and Paul Lewington of Lewington & Son claimed the first ever ‘Salesperson of the Year’ trophy.
