Shortlist announced for Franchisee of the Year Awards 2015
Twenty of the UK’s best franchising entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards 2015, supported by Express Newspapers.
Following a record number of entries, the 20 business owners from across Britain had to demonstrate the highest standards to be in contention for the most prestigious honours available to individuals in franchising.
Andy Brattesani, head of franchising for HSBC and one of the awards judges, said, “The process to reach this shortlist proved very difficult indeed thanks to the calibre of entries and these 20 franchisees should feel extremely proud to have reached this stage. The variety of businesses is notable, ranging from single owner-operators to multimillion-pound companies, reflecting the diversity of people and sectors represented in modern franchising in the UK.”
There are six different categories for the awards, with finalists named as:
Female Franchisee of the Year
- Shweta Jhajharia, ActionCoach London
- Faye McDonough, Bright & Beautiful Altrincham
- Sarah McLean, McDonald’s Nuneaton & surroundings
- Carolyn Sharpe, Puddle Ducks Newcastle upon Tyne
Young Franchisee of the Year (aged 30 or under)
- Tim Harris, Anytime Fitness Welwyn Garden City
- Richard Swayne, Snap-on Tools Dartford
- Dan Wade, WPA Healthcare East Sussex
Microbusiness Franchisee of the Year (less than £100,000 turnover)
- Paul Stokes, Little Kickers Hitchin & Bedford
- Les Graves, TruGreen South Bedfordshire
- Adrian Steel, Wilkins Chimney Sweep North Hampshire
Customer Service Franchisee of the Year
- Nic Chaviaris, Driver Hire Gatwick
- Noel Gallacher, Dyno Plumbing Scotland
- Amy & Philip Kennedy, Home Instead Senior Care Peterborough
- Steve Roberts, O2 North West
B2B Franchisee of the Year
- Kevin Preston, Drain Doctor North West
- Lee Brimecombe & Paul Nebbett, in-toto kitchens Exeter
- Lee Eaton, Signs Express Manchester
Olderpreneur Franchisee of the Year (aged 55 or older)
- Mike Guerin, McDonald’s Bristol & surroundings
- Sue Caulfield, Metro Rod Oxon & West Bucks
- Fran Maclean, Pitman Training Edinburgh & Glasgow
One of the six category winners will be named bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year 2015, which comes with £10,000 in prize money from HSBC as well as significant prestige; there are some 39,000 franchisees in the country. Each category winner takes home £1,000.
Cathryn Hayes of the bfa, who chairs the judging panel, commented, “This is welcome recognition of outstanding business people who have harnessed the support found in ethical franchising to achieve their self-employment goals. Our finalists have already demonstrated the difference they’re making in their communities across the UK, from northern Scotland to the south coast, and we look forward to hearing more from them at what is certain to be an extremely difficult judging process to find our winners.”
Sean Hammond of Express Newspapers said, “We’ve seen the standard of entrants for these awards continually rise and this year is no exception. Franchising has never been in better health and these business owners are shining examples of what’s possible within the sector, rightly acknowledged for their dedication, acumen and results.”
Finalists will present to a judging panel of franchising experts on 15 & 16 July, with winners announced at a black-tie dinner hosted by Steph McGovern on Thursday 1 October at Birmingham Town Hall.
