A WILTSHIRE businesswoman has received national acclaim for the success she has achieved with her company after it had one of its best-ever years.

Linda Mannion manages X-Press Legal Services Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire and Swindon, which provides expert property search reports to the conveyancing sector. She has been running the business for 15 years and manages a team of seven staff, initially starting the firm after gaining experience in banking and running a post office with her husband.

Linda has been recognised for consistently going above and beyond to help boost the success and growth of her own business as well as help the wider X-Press network, which includes 28 offices across England and Wales.

Her efforts have been honoured by the Great British Franchisee Awards which praise franchisees’ exceptional performance and business experience, and their ability to drive business growth, staff retention, customer satisfaction, community involvement, inspired leadership, and franchise involvement.

Linda said: "I am delighted to have been named as a Great British Franchisee. We just completed our busiest-ever year, which was wonderful. My team and I are dedicated to supporting our conveyancing clients in any way we can.

“I’ve been part of X-Press for 15 years. I don’t know where the time has gone, but I do know that it has been a wonderful experience. I have seen my son follow me into the business and he now runs his own office which makes me immensely proud.

"Everyone at our head office has provided huge support, the network really is like an extended family, all working together, helping one another and sharing best practice.”

Linda and her team support the county's conveyancing market, especially throughout the stamp duty holiday, when she outsourced a member of her team to the land charges department to help them to catch up on a huge backlog in search turnaround times.

X-Press Legal Services managing director Lynne Lister said: "A huge well done to Linda, who is so deserving of this recognition. She has built a strong business with a great and supportive team.

"We are delighted that she shares her expertise and is such an integral part of developing our range of services for our conveyancing clients.

"We are so lucky to have her as part of our network. Congratulations, Linda!”