Vision Excels at FMB Awards

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Great news recently for ad hoc client Vision, who I provided support for with their entry into the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) Awards 2025.

Founder Ross Pollard messaged me with a video of him and Site Manager Christian Dally going up to collect the award for Large-Scale Renovation Project!

The (now) award-winning project is a luxury upgrade to a 1930s family home overlooking the Exe Estuary. Works included updating an indoor swimming pool and adding a steam room; creating a bespoke cinema room; converting an attic space to guest accommodation; designing a new bathroom; updating bedrooms; and landscaping the extensive gardens. New technologies and solutions have been utilised including a system controlling lighting, heating and blinds for the entire home via an app, custom-made bedroom storage and an innovative irrigation system for the flower beds utilising rainwater harvesting.

The judges said that the transformation delivers “comfort, style, and cutting-edge automation, redefining modern family living in a timeless setting”.

I’ve been to the project in question a couple of times, most recently to look at the landscaping which wasn’t complete when I last visited. I am in awe of the work that’s been carried out, the innovative approaches and beautiful finishing. In all, this is a truly stunning project, with so much care taken in all aspects of the renovation.

The client’s testimonial referred to Vision as a “group of passionate professionals dedicated to bringing our vision to life. Their decades of industry experience shone through in every detail, from innovative design to meticulous execution” and described the finish project as “nothing short of spectacular – a beautifully renovated space, both inside and out, that has exceeded our expectations”

This event was the FMB Awards South – other regional events are taking place, and all winners from the local ceremonies, including Vision, will go on to compete as finalists for a national award in their category.

Congratulations to Ross and the team and good luck at the nationals!

Awards update

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With apologies for the double negative, I can’t not revisit this after the Devon & Somerset Law Society (DASLS) Awards took place last week.

It was a ‘virtual’ awards event, hosted by David Fitzgerald and perhaps the quickest awards I’ve ever attended (I think it took all of 30 mins)! I’d poured a glass of fizz in readiness just in case one of the finalists from The Family Law Company won. In the end I had to pour another as the award wins came thick and fast.

The first announced was the President’s Special Recognition Honours, a new award introduced to acknowledge someone who went the extra mile for clients and colleagues during the pandemic. I’d helped to put together a nomination for incredibly hardworking Senior Associate Solicitor Imran Khodabocus – and was so pleased when he was chosen in recognition for his extraordinary commitment not just in his work but for his community.

In the category awards success for The Family Law Company continued. Jane Chanot won Solicitor of the Year; Cassie Saunders picked up Support Team Member; Hannah Porter was named Rising Star; Gemma Sparks won Chartered Legal Executive; and Donna Hart was highly commended in Leader of the Year, with Grace Bradley a finalist in the Legal Aid Lawyer category.

At the same time as DASLS, the National Paralegal Awards took place virtually. The Family Law Company’s Becka Combes was a finalist in the Family Law and Best Newcomer categories and was delighted to win both categories. Becka wrote both her nominations, I just gave her a little help in tidying them up. So all credit to Becka, what a great win!

PS there was much hilarity at DASLS when one of the finalists forgot to mute themselves and we all heard them discussing Gus Honeybun who, local people will know, was a stuffed rabbit who Mr Fitzgerald had to work with many moons ago…. Let that be a lesson to all of us who continue to use Zoom.

PPS Not long after DASLS, The Family Law Company also won at the prestigious Law Society Awards, where they were awarded Excellence in Practice Management. Wow!