Countrywide and Belvoir have both held awards bashes to celebrate the efforts and successes of their people.

Some 125 franchise owners went to Belvoir’s function, which followed the company’s annual conference.

Comedian Hugh Dennis, star of the BBC shows Outnumbered and Mock the Week, provided after-dinner entertainment and presented the awards with Belvoir’s newly appointed CEO, Carl Chadwick.

Mike Campbell, who runs Belvoir Falkirk with his wife Amanda, enjoyed fantastic success, scooping three top titles including ‘Regional Winner – Scotland’, ‘Group Contribution of the Year’ and the coveted top title of Belvoir ‘Franchise Owner of the Year 2014’.

The other top award of the evening went to newcomers Phil Collett and Chris Roberts of Belvoir Bury who won New Franchise of the Year 2014. The two lifelong friends left careers in the automotive retailing industry to launch Belvoir Bury in January 2013, and this has now become the fastest growing ‘cold start’ franchise in Belvoir’s history.

A total of 29 awards were presented.

At the Countrywide awards do, attended by over 500 delegates, over 120 awards were presented.

Robert Scarff, managing director of Countrywide Estate Agents, presented the estate agency winners with trophies to commemorate their success, including a number of exclusive trophies awarded to the best national ‘champions’ in their field.

Scarff said: “I am delighted to recognise the talent of our estate agents, mortgage consultants and land and new homes employees at these prestigious annual awards.

“The success of the estate agency division is thanks to the dedication and commitment of our 4,000 estate agency staff, who work very hard to achieve great results.”

Pictured at the Countrywide awards: Richard Elby, Karen Akerman, John Hards, Margaret Longden, Bruce Evans, Steve Richmond and Davina Bowden