Reeds Rains held its annual awards in March 2008 to highlight the best agencies and employees in the organisation. The awards, held at Manchester University Conference Centre, showed just how much talent there is within the organisation.

Amongst the winners, were a number of employees who really stood out: Gregg Howell, won the Hall of Fame category for a consistently high performance over 22 years service. Greg was described as a role model to those that know him.

There were also some stars amongst the younger members of the company, in the ?Best Newcomer? category, there were a number of winners. Steve Ball is a fast track graduate at Reeds Rains. In his time he has turned the office around by 300%. Another high-flyer is Jennifer Rainsford, who joined just over a year ago and has banked £66,000 from a cold start in her first year. Laila Nasaripour, started banking financial services income in April 2007 and pro-rata is one of the top 3 advisors in the region. Alison Mountaine, Esther Markham and Julie Taylor were also mentioned in this category.

There were a number of accolades that went to branches rather than individuals. The Huddersfield branch gained the ?Blue Riband? award for top branch. Despite a management changeover they managed to be the most successful branch out of 147 and have consistently out-performed the rest, retaining their position from last year.

Nigel Favas, managing director, Reeds Rains, who presented the awards said, ?I am delighted and proud to be able to present these awards to such remarkably talented people. We are all aware the market is not as brilliant as it has been in the recent past and this can be difficult. However, what?s needed is the confidence to dig deep and come up with new ideas and better ways of doing things.

?Reeds Rains has a strong history of growing its own, 60% of our current branch managers were former graduate fast-track managers and I hope to see some of our rising stars in the Best Newcomer category as branch managers or more one day.?

Gregg Howell, winner of the Hall of Fame category, said, ?I am over the moon to accept this award. 22 years is a long time in one organisation and it is an honour to be recognised in this way. Reeds Rains awards aren?t just a great day; they are a real thank you to people who have worked so hard.?