More than 30 Partners were recognised for their achievements at this week’s PPP National Workshop.
The annual awards ceremony, which took place on Tuesday evening at the Oxford Belfry Hotel, was hosted by athletics gold medallist and newly joined PPP Partner, Kriss Akabusi.
Kriss, who first attended one of PPP’s National Workshops in April 2014 to give a motivational speech, was delighted to be presenting awards at his first National Workshop as an official Partner.
“It’s amazing to be here this evening. I can’t believe six months ago I was an outsider talking about my story, and now, I’m an insider. Officially, as of tonight, I am now one of you. Tonight is about rewarding you for all of the caring and sharing you have done throughout the network, overcoming major challenges, building amazing businesses and generally being, doing, having and giving more.”
There were nine awards up for grabs in total, including Ambassador of the Year, Partner of the Year, the Survivor Award and Newcomer of the Year.
Now in its seventh year, having been launched shortly after PPP was founded, the annual awards have evolved and are now prestigious accolades sought-after across the 200-strong network of Partners.
They recognise specific achievements or actions from Partners, such as overwhelming business performance, commitment to the network, charitable work and innovative ideas.
Here are the full list of winners and runners-up.
Ambassador of the Year Award
Winner – Amanda Staton
Gold Award – Cathy Colston
Silver Award – Steve Bloomfield
Awarded to the Partner who has gone above and beyond to promote PPP outside of the network.
This year, Amanda Staton was announced the winner. She gave up a lot of time to take part in theDispatches documentary, ‘The British Property Boom’, in which she showed her HMOs to the viewing public and spoke openly about her investment strategy.
Innovation & Technology Award
Winner – Paul Cronin
Gold Award – Mike Anderson
Silver Award – Sam and Daryl Cousins
New to the line-up this year, the Innovation & Technology Award was given to the Partner who has implemented an ingenious idea in their houses or has used modern technology or online media to advance their business. Paul has firmly established himself as the technology whizz of the PPP network and is often found presenting sessions at National Workshops about the many gismos and gadgets available on the market.
The Survivor Award
Winner – Jens Winton
Three Gold Awards were given to:
Thim Engel & Polly Rawlings
John Gordon
Mike Anderson
This award is given to Partners who have battled through issues and challenges and faced them head-on. Jens encountered a disaster during the storms at the end of 2013 when a 100ft tree fell and landed on his first HMO. At the time the house was occupied by five tenants, with two narrowly escaping injury - one night shift worker parked his car just moments before his windscreen was hit by the tree and the sole absent tenant was staying with her sister that night, avoiding the roof tiles that fell right onto her pillow!
The Barnabus Award
This award is given to those who have truly ‘Given More’ this year. Their work with various charities has been astounding and greatly commendable.
Winner - Shirley Lawrence & Ron Gandolfo
Gold Award - The Kilimanjaro Team (George Daldry, Dan Coe & Chris Tapp)
Silver Award – Emma Dillane
Awarded to Partners or staff who have truly ‘Given More’ through admirable charity work. Sue and Ron have spent many years working with the Tujatane School in Zambia training teachers and raising money for the children’s food programme. The school opened in 1996 with just six pupils. Now there are over 200 pupils attending.
Contribution to the Network Award
Winner - Alex Glass
Gold Award – Mike Regan
Silver Award – Simon Whelan
Those recognised in this category continuously go above and beyond to help others in the network, share their knowledge and give their time. Alex has provided an overwhelming amount of assistance to Head Office and other Partners throughout the year.
Newcomer of the Year Award
Winner – Paul Watson
Gold Award – Clare Hedgecox
Silver Award – Himal & Ritu Vohora
Recognises new Partners who have truly integrated themselves into the network since joining and immersed themselves in the training programme. Paul has worked tirelessly to become a key player within the PPP family including working with Head Office on a number of projects and setting up his first two HMOs.
Special Recognition Award
This year we had to award this title to two Partners.
Ian Narbeth - For his expert advice on a range of documents used throughout the network and his contribution to the operations processes used throughout the business on a day to day basis.
Luke Wates – For his time spent working on sourcing new properties in a difficult area by building relationships with estate agents and sharing this knowledge within the network.
Franchise Partner of the Year Award
Winner - Anita & Spencer Bowley
Gold Award – Mark & Sue Davies
Silver Award – David Brant
The biggest award of the year recognises Partners who truly embody all of PPP’s core values, successfully progress their business and contributes not only to the network but to the success of PPP through sales and promotion.
Partners’ Partner of the Year Award
Winner – Andy and Vashti Bedwell
Gold Award – Paul Cronin
Silver Award – Katherine Newman
Voted for by the Partners themselves, this award is given to those who have made an impact on the network. Andy and Vashti received an overwhelming majority of this year’s votes.
