Meet the 19 UK franchisees competing for 2018 bfa Franchisee of the Year Awards

Looking to go into franchising?

Take inspiration from the UK franchisees who have just been shortlisted by the British Franchise Association (bfa) in recognition of their outstanding business success.

Named as finalists for the 2018 bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Award, entrepreneurs feature from a cross-sector of industries and franchises up and down the country such as Right at Home, Little Kickers, ActionCOACH, Razzamataz, and Sandler Training.

Running for almost 30 years and established by industry body the bfa, the Awards seek to “highlight the outstanding business acumen, passion and achievement of individuals and businesses” operating in the £15bn+ UK franchise sector.

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Three of the 19 finalists are in the running to win the Young Franchisee of the Year title; an accolade awarded to franchisees aged 30 and under who have established a profitable franchise and achieved success beyond their years.

One of these finalists is Almas Adam of Right at Home. Adam, 27, has run his Loughton homecare business for three years, employing 40 people who provide quality care for 60 clients.

Within his first year, Right at Home Loughton was awarded the Right at Home ‘Right Start’ Award for having the best start among Right at Home franchisees who began in the same year. And in 2017, Adam was a finalist in the innovation category at the national British Care Awards.

Right at Home has commented that Adam being shortlisted by the bfa shows he “has come a long way from the nervous teenager who was crippled by shyness; and his success to date has opened the door to far greater business ambition – a fantastic example of franchising empowering young people to reach their true potential.”

Meet the 19 UK franchisees shortlisted for the Awards:

Customer Focus Franchisee of the Year

• Molly Maid – Julie Ward & Allison Bayes (Braintree)
• Right at Home – Andrew Davis (Bournemouth & Poole)
• Minster Cleaning Services – James Lofthouse (North & South Sheffield)
• Dyno – RJ, NP, DJ Illingworth – Machmade Ltd (Greater Merseyside)

Young Franchisee of the Year

• Right at Home – Almas Adam (Loughton)
• Little Kickers – Emma Ogden (South East Leicester & Northants)
• Razzamataz Theatre Schools – Helen Bell (Sheffield)

Lifestyle Franchisee of the Year

• Razzamataz Theatre Schools – Hayley Limpkin (Medway)
• ActionCOACH – Lucy Cameron (South East)
• The Christmas Decorators – Louise Walsh (Birmingham)

Multi-unit Award

• Costa – Diljit Brar (Goldex Investments Group Ltd)
• Pirtek – Jason Woods (Worcester, Gloucester, Kidderminster, Swansea & Cardiff)
• Autosmart – Lee Atkins (Coventry, Rugby & Solihull)

Network Contribution Award

• InXpress – Neil Hatt (South Birmingham)
• Sandler Training – Andy McCreadie (South West)
• Electric – Jeff Longley (North Birmingham)

The franchisees will now go on to be judged by a panel which includes Pip Wilkins QFP, chief executive of the bfa, among others, with the winners announced at an awards ceremony at the ICC Birmingham on June 28.

Wikins said:

“Our annual awards are growing more popular than ever. I would like to thank everyone who entered as the commitment, passion and effort is apparent in every application.

“Congratulations to all our finalists, as we know that a lot of hard work goes in to the applications and presentations, and they have done an incredible job to achieve the shortlist. “