At last year’s awards, Hannells came tantalisingly close to winning the Derby Sales and Marketing Award. This year, it went one step further by carrying off the title.

Hannells is perhaps one of Derby’s most recognisable home-grown brands. Founded in 2003, this independant estate agent has a well-earned reputation for service and innovation. It also has a well-defined marketing strategy, something which has helped sales rocket as the recovery in the local housing market has taken hold.

For almost a decade, Hannells has been Derby’s top selling estate agent – and its effective marketing that has helped the business stay at the top of the tree. The Derby Telegraph Business Awards has actually played a part in Hannells ongoing success. At last year’s awards, the business got talking to a fellow awards finalist, WDA Branding. The two firms got together, with WDA leading on the successful re-branding of Hannells, which has thrust the business forward to home buyers and sellers alike.

This commitment to marketing has translated into sales, with Hannells enjoying activity levels last seen since before the recession hit in 2008.

Over the past year it has seen a massive upturn in business, with turnover almost doubling – a great achievement in what is a very competitive market.