Franchisee of the Year 2014

Start-up name: Driver Hire (Hereford & Worcester)
Founder: Vance Parsons
Started in: July 2013
Based in: Worcester
Business description: Transport and logistics recruitment specialist

This year wasn’t the first time Driver Hire had triumphed in the franchise category of the Startups Awards.

Just last year Gary Riches, who runs the Colchester territory, took the title and later shared that his franchise had grown by 125% in the year following his win.

But it was the turn of husband and wife team Vance and Sue Parsons and the Hereford & Worcester branch of Driver Hire this year. And while the judges found it tough, there was no doubting the Parsons’ franchise deserved to be crowned Franchisee of the Year for 2014.

Up against excellent entries from courier franchise Diamond Logistics (Birmingham) and corporate catering franchise Jasper’s (Warrington), the Parsons demonstrated immense passion and determination to make their franchise one of the group’s most successful.

Displaying total commitment to the franchise model and the quality assurance of Driver Certificate of Professional Competence training (Driver CPC) to secure reliable drivers, the Parsons have worked assiduously to hire drivers via Jobcentre Plus, helping to take people off the unemployment register.

Revenue is on course to exceed target by almost £100,000 and at the time of entering was 20% ahead of expectations. Not only that, the Hereford & Worcester franchise achieved a healthy profit in its first 12 months. That and the Franchisee of the Year 2014 title were no doubt a welcome reward for all those early starts and late nights!