Michael Fenn has won the prestigious Sir Leslie Hooker Award, making him the youngest winner at 42 years old and the second South Australian recipient.
The announcement:
LJ Hooker has recognised its top performers across Australia and New Zealand at its annual International Awards night.
The Sir Leslie Hooker Award – the most prestigious award of the night that is named in honour of the company founder – was awarded to Michael Fenn, who becomes just the second ever South Australian recipient.
The award recognises contributions of a business owner to the community, the real estate network, and the mentoring of staff.
At just 42, Mr Fenn is the youngest person to have ever received the honour.
The former chef carving up on the night, also taking out the coveted Business Owner of the Year award.
“To win that, then the Sir Leslie Hooker Award – it nearly knocked me off my chair,” Mr Fenn said.
“You just never consider winning an award like that. And to be only the second to win from South Australia is an absolute honour.
“To be competing in your own state is one thing, but then to be considered amongst the other owners across our network is very humbling, considering the calibre of some of the other business owners.”
Stephen Mutton, LJ Hooker Head of Network Performance Australia, congratulated Mr Fenn on his outstanding achievement.
“The Sir Leslie Award is the most prestigious in LJ Hooker – for someone of Michael’s relatively young age to win this award, shows his dedication and commitment not only to the LJ Hooker brand, but also the community and his office,” said Mr Mutton.
“Michael has achieved some amazing results and career highs which obviously is a testament to his commitment to the real estate industry.”
Mr Fenn, who joined the company in 2002, is the Principal of LJ Hooker Greenwith | Golden Grove | Mawson Lakes | Modbury and LJ Hooker Gawler in Adelaide’s north-east.
The offices have recently undertaken a new group name as LJ Hooker Property Specialists. Mr Fenn is also an accredited Auctioneer and a Life Elite member of the prestigious LJ Hooker Multi-Million Dollar Captain’s Club.
“It has been a fabulous journey over the last 20 years and I’m still 100 percent active within the business,” he said.
“In January, I began the transition from selling to full-time management then COVID took off and the market went crazy, and it has probably been one of my busiest sales years. Fortunately, and unfortunately, when it’s in your blood it’s really hard to give the personal sales side of real estate away.”
Aged 22 at the time, Mr Fenn’s start in real estate came completely by chance. A chef by trade he had just come back from a trip to America and was keen to pay back a loan from his parents.
“I got offered a job in sales and it was a sliding doors moment. I thought I’d give it a go and absolutely fell in love with it from day one,” he said.
“It is exciting to have reached this point of my career at my age – I am looking forward to see what the future might hold.”
At Queensland’s recent Night of the Stars awards, held on Saturday night, LJ Hooker announced two ‘Hall of Fame’ awards.
Mr Mutton said the ‘Hall of Fame’ honours are not given out every year and are only awarded to those who have reached an exceptional level of achievement and length of service.
“It was an honour to welcome Greg and Maureen Booker of LJ Hooker Kallangur | Murrumba Downs and Bryan Waters of LJ Hooker Aspley | Chermside into the Hall of Fame.
“Greg and Maureen have a thriving passion for real estate and have spent the past 46 years creating one of LJ Hooker’s top Queensland businesses for both sales and property management,” he said.
“With a background in banking, finance and property industries, Bryan joined LJ Hooker 20 years ago. He has created a large and highly successful Queensland office for both sales and property management and is now joined by his three children – Amanda, Daniel and Josh – in the business.
LJ Hooker’s annual Night of the Stars for NSW, Victoria and WA are scheduled to be held later this year.
Source: LJ Hooker
