Move On Removals and Storage from Bristol in the UK has won a prestigious Which? award after little more than four years in business.

The company was one of four businesses nominated in the trusted trader category at this year’s Which? awards, held at a ceremony in London hosted by TV presenter Victoria Derbyshire.

The company, which employs ten people, was established in early 2020. Move On’s Richard Batten, who is joint managing director with his partner Joanne Kallevik, said the company has gone one better than last year, when it was among the nominations in the Trusted Trader category.

“My Grandad was director of a big removals and storage company in Addlestone in Surrey, which operated around 15 trucks,” said Richard. “Removals has always been in my family and I think it will always be in my blood. Jo joined the business in 2018, followed by her sister Helen, who is now a senior member of our leadership team, making it a fully-fledged family business. Which? is such a trusted and respected brand and we were thrilled to be nominated last year, so to go one better and win this year is fantastic.”

Richard said that his company treats everyone with respect, works with integrity and takes ownership of everything it does while having fun in the process. “Every member of our team must live by these core values and this is what I believe lies behind our award nomination,” explained Richard.

Richard said that the company currently moves people between the Bristol and Bath area and the rest of the UK and believes he can compete with the more established brands by being individualistic and occupying a niche in the market. His plan is to expand the company using a fanchise model when the time is right. “Our big ten-year vision at Move On is to become the world’s number one boutique removals franchise company and we plan to embark on this next stage this year. Our business model is now at a point where we can scale up, and the Which? awards experience has added rocket fuel to the whole process.”

Anabel Hoult, Which? chief executive, said: “Congratulations to Move On Removals and Storage on its win at this year’s Which? Awards. Moving house can be stressful, but it’s reassuring to see movers infusing their service with a personal touch, providing support during an uncertain time. The Which? Awards judging standards are incredibly high, so to be named as a winner is a huge achievement – something only achieved by the best of the best.”

Photos: Richard Batten at the Which? awards ceremony and with the Trusted Trader award along with Joanne Kallevik (centre) and Victoria Derbyshire (left)