Finders International celebrated the start of February with an award – the Best UK Probate Research Firm 2019.
The UK Probate Research Awards held on Thursday 7 February at The Mermaid, Puddle Dock in London highlighted the achievements and examples of excellence across forensic genealogy. Supported by Aviva Legal Indemnities and the National Association of Licenced Paralegals (NALP), the awards acknowledge probate research as an emerging profession and one that provides an invaluable public service.
The winners included:
Best UK Probate Research Firm 2019 – Finders International
Best International Probate Researcher of the Year 2019 – Ryan Gregory
Ryan Gregory has been with Finders International for sixteen years working his way up through the company to a senior case manager position in the public domain team. He is one of the best-known faces on the popular BBC show Heir Hunters. His most interesting case to date involved a sizeable estate in the UK where the deceased’s family came from the Ukraine. The case presented many difficulties before the area’s geo-political history and the challenges of finding heirs overseas, but when the family were traced, each of them benefited from a large windfall.
Best Property Clearance Firm 2019 – Just Clear
Just Clear provides professional probate estate clearance with teams in London and all over the UK. The service is available for relatives and executors as well as probate solicitors and court of protection professionals. It includes valuation, complete clearance, recycling, bio-hazardous cleaning if required, chattels delivered, stored or sold at auction and more.
Best Human Interest Story 2019 – Amy Cox (Finders International) and Lawrence Taylor (beneficiary of case).
Best Probate Research Paralegal 2019 – Katie Watson (Finders International)
Best Private Deputyship Firm 2019 – Professional Deputies
Best Community Contribution 2019 – David Lockwood (Finders International)
The Best Community Contribution award recognised David’s work to support councils with their Public Health Act Funeral and Empty Homes responsibilities, as well as being an advocate for local authority deputyship teams, and running free to use advice forums and events for public sector bodies.
Best Probate Research Insurance Provider 2019 – AVIVA
Outstanding Achievement in International Probate Research 2019 – Jan-Mathis Holstein
The Best Probate Law Firms 2019
- UK (Scotland) – McClures Solicitors
- UK (North) – Ramsdens Solicitors
- UK (Central) – Blake Morgan
- UK (South) – Coole Bevis
- UK (London) – Blandy and Blandy
In addition, the silent auction benefited Age UK and the Dania School bursary to the tune of £1,000.
Commenting on Finders International’s awards, founder and managing director Danny Curran said:
“We are very grateful to all our supporters and international colleagues for their support and are delighted to be recognised as the best in our field in this way.”
For more information about the awards and the winners, visit the Probate Research Awards website. If you would like to contact Finders International please visit the website www.findersinternational.co.uk email [email protected] or call Freephone 0800 085 8796 (UK only).