Small Southend firm wins big European award
A small business has won a big award after being named the best in Europe. Zing Mortgages, based in Southend, took home the Best Overall Company title at this year’s European Business Excellence Awards, which shine a light on successful and innovative firms. Zing was also a finalist in two other categories – ‘Best service-based business’ and ‘Fastest growing business’.
Owner Paul Flavin collected the award at a black tie event at the luxury Celtic Manor resort, in Newport, Wales. He said: “This award came as a complete shock and was very unexpected. Given the company we were in, I was proud to have been shortlisted in two categories, but to win the evening’s top award just blew me away.” The event was organised by business coaching firm, Action Coach. Brad Sugars, Action Coach founder and Sir Terry Matthews, the first Welsh billionaire, who has founded or funded over 100 companies, were on hand to present the award to Zing.
Zing Mortgages was set up in 2010 to give members of the public access to quality mortgage advice at a time and place most suited to them. Mr Flavin added: “Breaking down the entire mortgage process has allowed us to ensure the right people are completing the right task, at the right time.” Essex’s award-winning business coach, Lucas Vigilante, who attended the ceremony, said: “When you see the list of finalists, what Paul and his team at Zing achieved by winning Best Overall Company, the very top award at the European Business Excellence Awards, is overwhelming. “His dedication to measure and test every aspect of his business, breaking each area down in to its smallest component parts, improving them one at a time, and then systemising them from the ground up, has resulted in this wonderful outcome.”
The European Business Excellence Awards were launched in 2007, annually attracting nominations from more than 24,000 firms across 33 countries. Past winners have been from a range of industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceutical, engineering, fashion, and manufacturing.
Marcus James is Lettings Manager at Pace, an independent Southend on Sea Letting Agent. He deals with every aspect of the property letting process, providing expert and candid advice together with tailor-made marketing plans for each property he lists for rental.
Marcus prides himself on ensuring our landlord clients get the best return in the right timeframe for their investments by conducting rental appraisals, letting viewings and oversees the running of the lettings department.
