Awards
Awards
South Coast Property Awards 2026
Winner – Property Agency of the Year 2026
Compere for the evening, Scott Bennett (TV), presented the award saying:
“Merriebank Lettings achieved remarkable growth while maintaining strong community ties, said the judges, underpinned by strong ethical values and a commitment to delivering professional, client-focused property services.”
Dean & Sophie added – ‘We are absolutely delighted to WIN the South Coast of England – Property Agency of the Year Award. It’s an incredible moment for our business.’
Merriebank is a truly local, family‑run agency. When we started this 10 years ago, our mission was simple: break the typical ‘agent stigma’ by offering a genuinely personal, honest service. A decade on, that mission has grown into a dedicated father‑and‑daughter partnership. Sophie and I now manage well over 550 rentals across the Island, supported by our amazing, hard‑working team.
What sets us apart is our commitment to total ownership. As a family business, we offer a level of flexibility that larger chains simply can’t with out‑of‑hours support, direct communication, and a bespoke approach for every client. We’ve kept our overheads low so we can pass those savings straight back to our landlords. The transparency and consistency have built a level of trust that keeps clients with us for the long term. One of our standout strengths is the HMO sector. We’ve carved out a niche as the Island’s specialists in complex multi‑unit blocks, working closely with the Isle of Wight Council to ensure full compliance. That expertise has led to several significant portfolio transfers to Merriebank, and we’re proud of the results we delivered.
Our growth is reflected in our reviews. On the Island, ‘word‑of‑mouth’ travels fast. By consistently delivering on our promises and staying active in the community, we’ve become the first name people recommend when it comes to property management.
Our reputation is our greatest asset. At Merriebank, exceptional service isn’t just part of what we do, it defines who we are!
Dean & Sophie Faulkner Business Leader – 2025
Award of Excellence – Merriebank Lettings
This father-daughter team brings more than just experience and professionalism to the table; they bring heart, soul, and 100% dedication to everything they do. Dean and Sophie are more than business partners — they’re a family united by a shared vision. From the beginning, they’ve poured their energy into building a lettings agency that goes above and beyond for landlords and tenants. Their deep-rooted commitment shines through in every aspect of their work, whether it’s a routine property inspection or helping a first-time landlord navigate the rental process.
Dean brings with him a wealth of knowledge and years of industry experience. His calm, grounded approach and strong client relationships are key to Merriebank Lettings’ reputation for reliability and trustworthiness. Sophie, on the other hand, adds a fresh perspective, bringing energy, creativity, and a personal touch that tenants and landlords alike value.
Business Awards uk – Best Family Business Leader
Excellence in Leadership – Merriebank Lettings
Congratulations to all our winners and finalists—we celebrate your accomplishments and look forward to seeing how you continue to lead the way in your respective industries.
Merriebank Lettings celebrates a well-earned win for ‘Best Family Business Leader’, thanks to the dedication of Dean and Sophie Faulkner. Their hands-on approach to property management and customer service has built a strong reputation for trust and reliability. Merriebank Lettings find themselves amongst some well-known names in Business.
Influential Women in Business
Women In Business – Sophie Faulkner
Celebrating women in business goes beyond recognising individual achievements, it’s a collective acknowledgment of the significant contributions women make to the business world. Honoring and empowering women in business is crucial for promoting diversity, equality, and innovation. By celebrating their successes, we not only showcase the talent and leadership of women but also inspire the next generation of aspiring female entrepreneurs and professionals.
In the fast-paced world of business, few individuals have demonstrated the kind of versatility, dedication, and professionalism that Sophie Faulkner who works alongside her father Dean Faulkner for Merriebank Lettings a family run letting agency providing a professional service to both landlords and tenants.
So where did Sophie’s journey first begin? Sophie left university and joined her father in the business as an employee after gaining a degree in ‘Upper Second Class (BSc Hons) Degree in Digital Media. After a period of settling into the business her father saw the potential and recently offered her a 50/50 partnership. Her father Dean adds, ‘ Sophie is a kind individual that puts more than 100% effort into the business and gets satisfaction from helping others.’
Introducing
Winner for Isle of Wight
Merriebank Lettings, a local family run business, have just won the British Property Award for Isle of Wight.
Business owners Dean and Sophie Faulkner (Father & Daughter) performed outstandingly throughout the extensive judging period, which focused on customer service levels.
Merriebank Lettings have now been shortlisted for a number of national awards which will be announced shortly.
The British Property Awards provide agents throughout the UK with an invaluable opportunity to compare the service that they provide against the service provided by their local, regional and national competition.
Agents who go that extra mile and provide outstanding levels of customer service are rewarded with our accolade, which acts as a beacon to highlight these attributes to their local marketplace.
Best Estate Agent Guide 2024
Appearing in the top 500 for Lettings in the UK
Merriebank Lettings is rated Exceptional for Lettings in the Best Estate Agent Guide 2024.
Every year, a rigorous assessment is carried out of every estate and letting agent in the country. In the 2024 assessment, every agency was rated as either Exceptional or Excellent.
There are 13,080 estate agencies and each one is assessed for property marketing, customer service and results, including how quickly they sell or let and percentage of price achieved compared with other agents in the same location.
The very best agents are listed in The Best Estate Agent Guide – a website for landlords and sellers to help them choose who to sell or let their property.
On Tuesday 7th November the results of this year’s assessment were announced at the Best Estate Agent Guide Awards at the EA Masters 2023, Evolution London, Battersea and Merriebank Lettings was among those recognised”
Merriebank Lettings was delighted to be recognised for their dedication to providing the very highest levels of service. Dean and Sophie commented “To be recognised in the top 500 agents in the UK is just exceptional. We are also delighted to have been included in the Best Estate Agent Guide 2024. Agents cannot enter or pay for this award – the assessment is industry-wide and only those that meet the very hightest standards are included. We are thrilled to have been recognised as among the best in the country”.
Home-movers and landlords can search for those estate and letting agents that made the grade in their area by visiting bestestateagentguide.co.uk or by looking out for the distinctive winners marks.
South Coast Property Awards 2023
Winner Property Agency of the Year 2023
The leading players in the Commercial and Residential Property community celebrated their achievements at the 2023 South Coast Property Awards. Hosting the awards with great aplomb, comedian, writer, presenter and actor Hal Cruttenden’s humorous anecdotes entertained guests throughout the evening.
Having recently won the UK Property Award GOLD Winner for the IOW and then the UK Property Award BRONZE Winner for Hampshire, Merriebank Lettings were already ecstatic with the recognition and representing the Island.
On the evening of 8th June 2023, they attended the Hilton Ageas Bowl in Southampton having been nominated in the top 5. The shortlist was read out and the winners were Merriebank Lettings & Property Services for the ‘Property Agency of the Year 2023’.
“Dean and Sophie Faulkner (Father & Daughter Team) and also Joint Owners of Merriebank Lettings & Property Services”
When interviewed after Dean said..,
“We are very proud and now feel fully established as a lettings business on the Island. When we set up the business originally, our objective was to be different from other agencies. We aim to provide a more personal service to tenants and landlords alike and not have all the hidden costs for our clients. We are also available after hours, which is important to manage the business effectively.
As a family-run business, we all work for each other and bring different skills to the company. We have had a very good year, including picking up one of the Isle of Wight’s biggest building developments, which is fantastic for us. We couldn’t be more delighted this evening particularly as it was also my birthday too”.
