National award success for South West sales trainee

A Taunton woman has scooped a national award, just two years after starting her career in house sales.

Samantha Meaden was named as the Persimmon Homes Sales Trainee of the Year, beating off competition from the leading national house builder’s 30 other regional teams.

The 21-year-old was described as a “true asset to the team” by her manager Stacey Harris.

Stacey, who is head of sales at Persimmon Homes South West based in Exeter, said: “Samantha started with Persimmon Homes as a trainee sales advisor in 2017. She had been planning a career as a make-up artist with a leading cosmetics brand but had a change of heart and took a complete change in direction. 

“Samantha picks things up extremely quickly and is very proactive about accessing the training she needs to be successful. She is bright, enthusiastic and is able to deal with customers on all levels, showing true sales skills. 

“Over the last two years she has become more confident in dealing with customers, she is one of the best sellers for finishing touches, she consistently makes appointments and delivers reservations. Samantha will always go above and beyond to ensure she has a happy customer and will put in 100 %.

“She has now since been promoted to a sales advisor and is running her own development at Corelli Dorset where customers have many positive things to say about her friendly can-do attitude. She is certainly an asset to the company.”

Over the last two years Samantha has also saved a deposit and has taken advantage of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme to buy her own Persimmon home.

Samantha said: “Working for the company really appealed to me as it is a customer-focused business. I get a lot of job satisfaction helping a buyer through every stage of their journey, and I am delighted that I have managed to get a foot on the property ladder by buying my first home from Persimmon.

“I really enjoy working at Corelli as we have a successful development here and a busy influx of customers.”

Robert Hart, director in charge of Persimmon Homes South West, said: “We are thrilled that a member of our team has won such an accolade and hope that it encourages more young people to join the business.

“Persimmon Homes manages a robust trainee and apprentice programme, taking more than 100 young people into the business nationally each year.

“We feel it is important to reward those youngsters who have got off to a flying start and our winner Samantha is a perfect example of this.”

The Young Achievers award programme was launched by Persimmon Homes to showcase its apprentices and sales trainees who have gone above and beyond to succeed in their role.

The housebuilder believes it’s important to invest in its young workforce, with the chief executive, Dave Jenkinson, placing emphasis on the role trainees can play in the business’s future.

For more information visit www.persimmonjobs.com