Two former chairmen are among the four new companions of the British Franchise Association (BFA), who have been appointed for their contribution to the franchise industry and the association.
The two are Melvin Lusty and David Corbett. Lusty bought and then sold Rainbow International, the carpet and upholstery cleaning and restoration franchise, and has since invested and worked in a number of franchises, including currently Chemex, the cleaning and hygiene manufacturing and distribution business of which he is chairman.
Corbett is the co-founder and chairman of Signs Express, the computerised signwriting business, and the BFA’s board member for international affairs. He has been secretary and chairman of the European Franchise Federation.
The other two recipients are both service providers to franchisors, Penny Hopkinson and Gordon Patterson.
Hopkinson (pictured) is the founder and owner of Manual Writers International and the leading figure in the preparation of franchise operating manuals. She is a contributor to the BFA’s code of ethics and its members’ rule book.
Manuals that Hopkinson has written underpin the quality ethical standards for such clients as Costa Coffee, Prontaprint, Signs Express, Unigate Dairies and Wagamama.
Patterson has been a leading member of the franchise consultancy network of Franchise Development Services for 20 years and is a member of the BFA’s qualified professional panel which oversees its QFP qualification.