The 2018 bfa HSBC Franchisee Awards finalists have been revealed!
Published: 04 May 2018
The 2018 bfa HSBC Franchise Awards are a celebration of excellence in franchising, highlighting outstanding business success. Franchisee award entries are closed, initial judging has taken place and the shortlist of finalists for each award category has been decided.
The British Franchise Association is thrilled to announce the franchisee award category finalists:
Young Franchisee of the Year
Franchisees under 30s who have established a profitable franchise and achieved success beyond their years:
- Right at Home – Almas Adam (Loughton)
- Little Kickers – Emma Ogden (South East Leicester and Northants)
- Razzamataz Theatre Schools – Helen Bell (Sheffield)
Lifestyle Franchisee of the Year
Franchisees who have bought a franchise to get a better work-life balance and, through their enterprising nature, stand out from the crowd:
- Razzamataz Theatre Schools – Hayley Limpkin (Medway)
- ActionCOACH – Lucy Cameron (South East)
- The Christmas Decorators – Louise Walsh (Birmingham)
Customer Focus Franchisee of the Year
Franchisees that go above and beyond to deliver the best customer experience in both B2B and B2C businesses:
- Molly Maid – Julie Ward and Allison Bayes (Braintree)
- Right at Home – Andrew Davis (Bournemouth and Poole)
- Minster Cleaning Services – James Lofthouse (North and South Sheffield)
- Dyno – RJ, NP, DJ Illingworth – Machmade (Greater Merseyside)
Multi-unit Award
Franchisees with more than three units in the same network that can prove their evolution and strategy has demonstrated sustainable growth across their portfolio:
- Costa – Diljit Brar (Goldex Investments Group)
- Pirtek – Jason Woods (Worcester, Gloucester, Kidderminster, Swansea and Cardiff)
- Autosmart – Lee Atkins (Coventry, Rugby and Solihull)
Network Contribution Award
Franchisees who appreciate the benefit of being part of a network, are considered a significant contributing partner to the franchisor, and are a mentor to the network, which has resulted in increased profitability for their business:
- InXpress – Neil Hatt (South Birmingham)
- Sandler Training – Andy McCreadie (South West)
- Mr. Electric – Jeff Longley (North Birmingham)
All finalists will present their case to a panel of expert judges, which, this year, include:
- Brian Smart QFP, (chair of the judges)
- Pip Wilkins QFP, chief executive, bfa
- Andrew Brattesani, head of franchising, HSBC
- Jane Masih, director, Owen White Solicitors
- Alan Wilkinson QFP, head of UK franchise development, The Franchising Centre
- Derrick Simpson, bfa companion
Pip Wilkins, the bfa’s CEO, comments: "Our annual awards are growing more popular than ever and the quality of entrants made it a tough task to narrow it down to our 16 finalists. I would like to thank everyone who entered, as the commitment, passion and effort is apparent in every application.
"Congratulations to all our finalists, as we know that a lot of hard work goes in to the applications and presentations, and they have done an incredible job to achieve the shortlist. Good luck to them all for the night of the awards, I can honestly say that that the quality of entrants makes the task of judging a difficult one!"
Andrew Brattesani, UK head of franchising for HSBC, adds: "To recognise the achievements of all the finalists of the bfa HSBC Franchise Awards 2018 is an essential part of promoting excellence and best practice for all franchisors working in the UK.
"Comparing one great entry against another is never easy, particularly as every year the standard seems to improve. I’m proud to be on the judging panel again, looking forward to the entry presentations and excited to continue HSBC’s support of this excellent awards programme."
The winners will be announced at the 2018 bfa HSBC Franchise Awards ceremony, held as part of the bfa’s annual conference, on 28 June 2018 at the ICC in Birmingham.
