Monkey Music, the UK’s premium music group for pre-school children, has announced the appointment of Deborah Stanbury to the newly created role of Franchise Manager.

 

Monkey Music is an award winning national franchise launched in 1998. More than 50 franchises currently operate in over 300 locations across the UK and Ireland and every week more than 10,000 children visit Monkey Music classes. The company’s Head Office is in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

 

Although new to Head Office, Deborah Stanbury has worked with Monkey Music as a franchisee for four years – running the successful Oxford franchise. Previously, Deborah worked in a very senior role in the music industry in London. As Head of Finance and Legal Affairs at Universal Music she played a leading role in contract negotiations with artists such as Elton John, Robbie Williams, Fat Boy Slim, Beautiful South and Pulp.

 

“I first discovered Monkey Music in 2002 as a client,” says Deborah. “As the mum of a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old baby and, at the time new to the Oxford area, I was looking for activities I could enjoy with my children. I was keen to encourage my children to discover and learn music, as playing and listening had always been so important to me.
 

“We all loved Monkey Music from the first instant and, I’m happy to say, in early 2005 I had the opportunity to take over and run the Oxford franchise.

 

“Running Monkey Music classes was a wonderful way to be immersed in music and to keep my hand in at business, but still keeping my children at the very heart of my life. As many Monkey Music people – clients and franchisees – will tell you, the experience is enchanting; it’s a really magical learning and development experience, as well as a great business.”

 

Within three years Deborah had tripled the size of the Oxford business and was, in her words, ‘having the time of my life’. So when, after several interviews and meetings, the call came from Monkey Music founder and Managing Director, Angie Davies, asking her to join the expanding management team, it was still a difficult decision to take.

 

“In the end I realised I simply had to take the new Franchise Manager position,” say Deborah. “With my children now older, I have more flexibility to travel to take on some office based work. Plus, the chance to play a part in Monkey Music’s expansion and new plans is a really exciting opportunity. Monkey Music is a family business and it really does have a friendly, family feel to it.”

 

Deborah’s role will be to help identify, brief and assist prospective and existing Monkey Music franchisees. As someone who has been there and done it with the organisation, she’s looking forward to passing on her knowledge about all aspects of running a successful franchise.

 

“Like any successful business, running a Monkey Music franchise takes hard work and dedication, but the rewards, quite apart from the financial success, are amazing. It’s a sociable, magical, musical world and I’m so happy to be a part of the team.”

Angie Davies, Monkey Music’s Managing Director, commented;

 

 “Deborah has always had ‘star quality’, and I’m thrilled to welcome her to this new role at Monkey Music HQ. I’m sure she will be a valuable member of the team.”