Northern Lights: bfa breakfast event returns to Manchester

The British Franchise Association will host the Great Northern Breakfast 2015 at EventCity in Manchester on Friday 19 June, supported by Platinum Wave and HSBC.

A celebration of the £3bn franchise sector in northern England, the breakfast is open to everyone working in the sector or anyone with an interest in finding out more about it.

The keynote speaker is popular business journalist Simon Jack, a familiar figure to listeners of Radio 4’s Today programme, the station’s flagship news and current affairs show. He’s also presented on national breakfast television as well as covering business for the Daily Telegraph. With his media experience allied to a previous career as a corporate banker in London, New York and Bermuda, he’s sure to deliver an entertaining and informative presentation with a good tale or two to tell!

Joining Simon will be franchisor Rachel Ray, founder of Cheshire-based domestic cleaning franchise Bright & Beautiful, which has undergone rapid growth in recent years; and Joe Guishard, former police officer and franchisee with homecare company Right at Home. A new Q&A panel format will maximise audience
interactivity and get to the heart of their respective experiences.

Pip Wilkins, head of operations for the bfa, said: “Franchising is worth billions to the northern economy, and has thrived in both prosperous and challenging times during the past 10 years. We’re excited to once again be celebrating such a vibrant and successful sector and encourage anyone with an interest in business to get involved, make new connections and hear directly from entrepreneurs themselves about their experiences.

“Following on from a great event last year, we couldn’t be more pleased to have secured Simon as our keynote and I’m very much looking forward to hearing an entertaining take on business and the media.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to hear real-life stories, make new connections and understand what ethical franchising is all about, while enjoying a traditional English breakfast – bacon and business, what more could you ask for?!”

The Great Northern Breakfast takes place immediately before the British Franchise Exhibition, with all attendees receiving a free VIP pass to the two-day show at the same venue.