A Warwick firm specialising in wills and estate planning has been presented with a Best Customer Experience award in recognition of its client-focused service.
Citywide Wills was founded by Anna Kmiec almost five years ago. Before settling in the UK in 2005, she worked in the property industry in Poland.
The award from Big Business Events acknowledges the company’s personalised approach, clear communication and consistent attention to detail, supported by strong online reviews and high levels of client satisfaction.
Anna Kmiec said: “I am thrilled to receive this award, which feels like recognition for the hard work and dedication that has been required to get the business to where it is today.
“The UK was always my dream. From my first English lesson at the age of 14, I always wanted to come so I arranged a job and came to work in a nursing home.
“In the home, I saw first-hand people suffering with dementia – now one of the services I provide to protect families is power of attorney in cases where people have lost mental capacity.
“I came to stay for five years to improve my English and wanted to go back to Poland to teach English, but that never came to fruition. Five years turned into ten, 15, 20 and now 21.”
During her time at the University of Warwick, Anna launched a commercial property sourcing business, which exposed her to the complications families face when estate planning is absent.
Anna added: “During that time, I witnessed the difficulties families face when there is no will in place. I saw property portfolios being sold because there was no planning in place, no will, and that led me into will writing. When Covid happened. I decided to do my professional qualification and become a will writer.
“I wanted to do something where I could make an impact and be independent – in commercial property you rely on investors, on the deal. I want to help the local community, the Polish community, make it personal and make it affordable.”
She later left the university through voluntary redundancy and built Citywide Wills from the ground up.
“I am approaching five years in business which feels like a significant milestone. I started completely from scratch and have managed to grow and sustain the business despite various challenges along the way.
“In an industry where many will-writing start-ups close within the first two years, reaching this point is a real achievement and something I am incredibly proud of.
“One of the biggest challenges has been juggling multiple aspects of building the business at once – managing cash-flow, finding clients, and building a reliable support team. Continuously expanding my knowledge of the areas required patience, persistence and learning on the go but overcoming them has made the business stronger and more resilient.
Anna says the most rewarding aspect of her work is the reassurance it brings to clients. “There is nothing better than when clients recommend my services to others or tell me that the process was far more straightforward than they expected. Knowing I can make what is often a daunting task simple and reassuring is incredibly rewarding.
“Peace of mind is not about expecting the worst – it is about knowing that the people you love are protected, your wishes are honoured and your legacy endures – exactly as you intend.”
More information can be found at www.citywidewills.co.uk.
