Driver Hire’s Hull franchise announces new owners

Temporary driver recruitment franchise Driver Hire announced today that husband-and-wife team Andrew and Debbie Wilkinson are set to take over the firm’s Hull franchise branch, following existing franchisee John Fraser’s decision to release his investment.

A franchised business for 30 years, having been set up by the since-departed Mark Lawn and John Bussey in 1983, Driver Hire provides temporary drivers and logistics staff to short-staffed local businesses.

The company has recently seen strong growth in the franchise arm of its business, opening its 100th office in April this year.

Driver Hire offers new franchises from £30,000, with re-sales of existing franchises costing £40,000 to £500,000. The company provides training, IT infrastructure and marketing to its franchisees.

The new Hull franchise team have previous experience owning a business; in the 1980s Andrew Wilkinson was the proprietor of the used-car section of a VW/Audi dealership in Huddersfield and the duo have purchased the franchise following 12 years of management of a number of restaurants in Yorkshire.

New franchisee Debbie Wilkinson said: “The opportunity to buy a Driver Hire franchise came along at the just the right time. We both liked the business model and, as Driver Hire has a network of over 100 offices, it clearly works!

“Another reason to go down the franchise route was the back-up and support it offers. Road transport is a highly regulated industry and, as our franchisor, Driver Hire has all the systems in place to help us ensure that both us and our clients stay compliant.”

Andrew Wilkinson added: “The fundamentals of the business aren’t changing. Stephanie and Valerie Cook, who’ve been here for many years, are at the heart of the new team.

“Together we’re 100% committed to continuing the delivery of great service to clients old and new. At the same time, we’re also widening our range of services to include Driver CPC training and permanent recruitment.”