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British Franchise association: latest news The British Franchise Association is moving The British Franchise Association is moving premises on 13th July to: British Franchise Association The offices will close the week commencing Monday 12th July and re-open on Monday 19th July. Winners announced for UK franchisor awards The winners of the 21st bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year Awards 2010, supported by Express Newspapers, were announced at this week’s award ceremony in Nottingham. Presentations to the judging panel by the 15 finalists in April brought much deliberation before the winners were selected for the three award categories. The judges felt that those chosen displayed exceptional qualities at a time when British businesses have had to be more innovative than ever to compete successfully in today’s economic climate. BFA HSBC Franchisor of the Year Award • Gold – TaxAssist Accountants • Silver - Domino’s Pizza • Bronze - Autosmart HSBC Franchisee Support Award • Revive! Express Newspapers Brand Builder • Cook Brian Smart, director general, British Franchise Association (BFA), commented on the winners: “All of the award winners are a credit to the franchise sector and should be commended for their hard work and dedication which has served their franchisees so well.” BFA HSBC Franchisor of the Year Award Gold – TaxAssist Accountants (www.taxassist.co.uk) TaxAssist Accountants is a high-street network specialising in the supply of accounting, taxation and associated services to small businesses. Karl Sandall, chief executive, TaxAssist Accountants commented on receiving the award: “Being named as 2010 BFA HSBC Franchisor of the Year is extremely exciting and is recognition of how we’ve adapted our business and shaped our future plans for the benefit of all 185 of our franchisees. We provide them with the support they need, whatever and whenever it may be, to make their business as successful as possible.” Silver – Domino’s Pizza (www.dominos.co.uk) Pizza delivery business Domino’s delivered 40 million pizzas last year to 3.4 million households. Bronze – Autosmart (www.autosmart.co.uk) Autosmart manufactures and supplies premium quality vehicle cleaning and maintenance products direct to the trade. HSBC Franchisee Support Award Revive! (www.revive-uk.com) Revive! offers motorists a cost-effective mobile service known as SMART repairs for ‘Small-to-Medium Area Repair Technique’. Mark Llewellyn, managing director, Revive! commented on receiving the award: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won the HSBC Franchisee Support Award. The business strategy and direction was ripped-up, thrown in the bin and totally redrawn as the recession took hold which we are now reaping the benefits from. “The franchisees have been a key part of the process and have been involved throughout the introduction of the revolutionary changes we have introduced.” Cathryn Hayes, head of franchising, HSBC, said: “Judging the finalists was tremendously difficult as so many franchisors have shown innovative ways in which to survive and prosper despite the economic downturn. TaxAssist clearly demonstrated unique and exciting business success and is a deserving winner of the bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year Award. Deciding on the winners of the HSBC Franchisee Support and Express Newspapers Brand Builder awards were equally difficult with exceptional practices on display - Revive! and Cook should be justly proud of their achievements. “I am sure that all the winners will capitalise on their success and continue to build businesses with strength and conviction by helping their franchisees to adopt innovative and strategically sound tactics for growth.” Express Newspapers Brand Builder Cook (www.cookfood.net) Cook has made high-quality frozen food from homemade meals, cakes and puddings for the past 13 years. Matthew Bourne, head of franchising, Cook commented on receiving the award: “Sticking to a strong foundation and attracting some fantastic franchisees because of our values has been imperative for our success and receiving the Express Newspapers Brand Builder award is fabulous recognition of this. “The award will serve as a great reminder for us to stick to what we believe in and what we want the brand to say to our customers.” Ben Nealon, classified advertising manager, Express Newspapers, said: “The perception of a brand has become increasingly important as the economy has wavered therefore it was a pleasure to see so many franchisors working hard to maintain and grow awareness to aid its franchisees as much as possible. Cook showed how the business has grown in difficult times and how it is looking to a successful future through solid strategic brand solutions.” Brian Smart, Director General, BFA, concluded: “The affect of the recent economic conditions has been a constant threat for franchisors and franchisees alike. However, it has been a delight to recognise and award some truly outstanding franchisors for their strategic direction and support for their franchisees. “By being named as one of the winners, the franchisors have been recognised as being the best in industry for customers, suppliers and potential franchisees. It can also help further motivate their own franchisees by recognising their hard work and dedication. “Britain is getting back to its feet and franchisors should continue to be a part of its success. We hope that these awards can inspire the next generations of franchisors and franchisees, bringing fresh new thinking and good practice to the sector.” For further information, visit www.thebfa.org or call the BFA on 01865 379 892.
BFA takes its biggest step towards giving franchisees a voice The British Franchise Association, took its most significant step towards embracing franchisees at its annual meeting by amending its articles of association to allow its directors to invite two franchisees of full members to join them on the board. The meeting at Birmingham on December 3 also passed a second resolution giving its directors the power to invite a second representative of its professional affiliate membership category to serve on the board. The three co-options will bring the board’s membership to 18 including ex-officio, the director-general and legal adviser. The two co-opted franchisees are expected to be drawn from those on the BFA Franchisee Forum, which is made up of a franchisee from each of the systems of the 11 full member franchisors on the BFA board. The moves were the first tangible result of its One Vision development strategy led by its chairman, Mike Goddard (Belvoir Lettings). Newcomers Two newcomers were elected to the board, Andy Pitt, of McDonald’s Restaurants, and, as the affiliates representative, Derrick Simpson (the founder of Franchise Resales). Simpson returns to the board having previously served from 2004-05 when he was director of franchise development at On Demand Communications, the operator of the leading print franchises, Prontaprint and Kall Kwik. Three retiring franchisors were re-elected, Mike Goddard (chairman), Michael Eyre (Blazes Fireplaces and Heating Centres) and a former chairman Melvin Lusty (Chemex International). Dan Archer (X-press Legal Services) was re-elected as the representative of the associate category on the board. The regional chairmen appointed were: London, Alistair Wiggins (Pirtek hydraulic hose centres); Midlands, Mike Noad (Interlink Express Parcels); North, David Shimwell (Pitman Training); and South-West, Kelly Chambers (Dream Doors). The new 18-strong board will comprise: 11 full-member franchisors, two franchisees (both co-opted), one associate member franchisor, two affiliate members (one co-opted), and ex-officio, the director-general and legal adviser. |
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Mike Goddard (third from left), the BFA chairman, welcomes newly-elected directors and regional chairmen, from left: Alistair Wiggins (regional chairman, London), David Shimwell (regional chairman, North); and directors, Andy Pitt and Derrick Simpson. |
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