A variety of franchisors and franchisees from performing art schools to pet care and coffee shops have been recognised in the BFA/HSBC Franchise Awards 2018 at the International Conference Centre, Birmingham.
McDonald’s Restaurants won the Franchisor of the Year title having won the Gold award and Hayley Limpkin of Razzamataz, Medway and Kent, was named Franchisee of the Year People’s Choice after being voted for by the audience attending the awards.
The association has run the annual awards for nearly 30 years to recognise both franchisors and franchisees in the UK who have demonstrated business acumen, passion and achievement.
Pip Wilkins QFP, chief executive of the BFA, explains: “It’s over 40 years since the BFA was launched specifically to develop ethical franchising in the UK, and I am proud of the way the sector has grown in that time, with the industry’s turnover exceeding £15bn, that’s one per cent of the UK’s GDP.
“If you are running a successful business or want to be your own boss, then franchising is a valid and important option for accelerating your business growth or starting your own commercial venture.
“The BFA/HSBC Franchise Awards 2018 are a celebration of the broad church that is franchising in the UK, from a large multi-national to a lifestyle business, as franchisors come in all shapes and sizes. Every year it’s really great to see the excellent work our members demonstrate through their entries and the quality has never been higher.
“I would like to thank all our finalists in this year’s awards and congratulate our winners, it was an extremely hard job for the judges to separate them. It’s great to see such a wide range of businesses represented as it really does illustrate the depth and breadth of franchising opportunities in the UK.”
Andrew Brattesani, UK head of franchising for HSBC, said: “HSBC is delighted to be once again supporting these industry leading franchise awards. Franchise businesses are often the hidden engine of business growth in the UK and it is essential to highlight the important contribution both large and small businesses make to our economy.
“It is also important to showcase to people that they can run their own businesses and if you don’t want to go it alone, or haven’t got a strong business idea, you can still be successful and become your own boss, as together we thrive.”
The judging panel of the Franchise Awards included Brian Smart QFP (chair of the judges), Wilkins, Brattesani, Jane Masih (director at Owen White Solicitors), Alan Wilkinson QFP (head of UK franchise development at The Franchising Centre) and Derrick Simpson QFP (BFA Companion).
The 2018 winners
BFA/HSBC Franchisor of the Year Gold Award
McDonald’s Restaurants (Quick service restaurants)
Silver Award
Agency Express (Estate agency board service)
Bronze Award
Driver Hire Nationwide (Suppliers of temporary and permanent staff)
Emerging Franchisor of the Year
We Love Pets (Pet care and dog walking)
Brand Awareness
Stagecoach Performing Arts (Children’s performing arts schools)
Award for Innovation
Tutor Doctor (Educational home tutoring)
Award for Franchise Support
Revive! (Mobile SMART repair services)
BFA/HSBC Franchisee of the Year
People’s Choice
Hayley Limpkin, Razzamataz Theatre Schools (Performing art schools for young people)
Young Franchisee of the Year
Almas Adam, Right at Home (Home care provider)
Lifestyle Franchisee of the Year
Hayley Limpkin
Customer Focus Franchisee
Machmade Ltd (R.J. N.P. and D.J Illingworth), Dyno (Plumbing, drains and heating)
Multi-unit Franchisee
Diljit Brar (Goldex Investments Group Ltd), Costa (Coffee shops)
Network Contribution
Neil Hatt, InXpress (Domestic and international courier services)