The annual BFA/HSBC Franchise Awards for both franchisors and franchisees have been launched and winners will be announced at a combined awards ceremony on 28th June, 2018 at the International Conference Centre, Birmingham.
Pip Wilkins, chief executive of the BFA, said “We are delighted to launch the awards again this year with our partners HSBC. We are really looking forward to seeing entries from faces old and new.”
Andrew Brattesani, UK head of franchising at HSBC, added “The annual awards are a celebration of everything that is great about the UK franchising sector. To recognise the achievements of all the finalists, highlighting their quality and success, is an essential part of promoting excellence and best practise for all franchisors and franchisees working in the UK. HSBC is proud and excited to continue its support of this awards programme.”
The home care sector dominated in last year’s awards with the Franchisor of the year title awarded to Bluebird Care, and Hannah Drury of Caremark, winning both Young Franchisee of the Year and Franchisee of the Year.
Bluebird Care’s chief operating officer, Duncan Berry, said that initiatives like these awards encourage the industry to maintain high standards, and Hannah Drury, said that with social care being so important in the current social climate by winning it recognised the hard work and passion that young people can bring to the industry.
The five award categories open to BFA franchisors are Franchisor of the Year, (open to full members only), Emerging Franchisor of the Year, Brand Awareness, Award for Innovation and Award for Franchise Support.
Franchisees also have five award categories open to them:
- Lifestyle Franchisee of the Year
- Young Franchisee of the Year
- Customer Focus Franchisee of the Year
- Network Contribution
- Multi-unit Franchisee Award
The award for Franchisee of the Year – People’s Choice, which was introduced last year, will be awarded to the best franchisee from the winning franchisees after being voted for by the audience on the night.
The closing dates for entering the BFA/HSBC Franchise Awards are 2nd February 2018 for franchisors and 30th March 2018 for franchisees.
For further information on the awards visit www.thebfa.org