Encouraging women into franchising (EWIF) awards - sponsored by Natwest

The Second Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWIF) Awards Ceremony took place in London on 29th March 2012. The Awards provide a unique opportunity to formally recognise the contribution women franchisees, franchisors and franchise service providers make to this sector.

The finalists and winners were announced at the Awards Ceremony held at the NatWest building in central London, and were attended by over 170 people from throughout the world of franchising.

Clive Sawyer, Chairman and Founder of EWIF, and Managing Director of Business Options one of the UK’s leading Franchise Consultancies commented: “We were absolutely delighted at the response to the second year of these EWIF Awards both from the number and quality of entries received. It was especially pleasing that we had entries not just from the large very well know franchise brands but also from smaller less known franchises as well. The large turnout for the Awards Ceremony is an indication of the level of support EWIF has from the whole franchise industry”.

There were seven Awards presented and the winners were:

New Woman Franchisee of the Year – sponsored by Recognition Express
Hayley Limpkin of Razzamataz Theatre Schools

New Woman Franchisor of the Year – sponsored by WPA
Louise Harris of Wilkins Chimney Sweep

Woman Franchisor Employee of the Year – sponsored by Owen White Solicitors
Sam Morgan of Tatty Bumpkin

Woman Service Provider of the year – sponsored by The Franchise Show
Shirley Hughes of Franchise Careers Centre

Woman Franchisee of the Year – sponsored by NatWest
Kate Evans of Water Babies

Woman Franchisor of the Year – sponsored by Coconut Creatives
Sarah Cressall of The Creation Station

The last Award was new for 2012 and was the “Outstanding Contribution” Award, sponsored by Business Options, recognising the extraordinary contribution made by an individual to women in franchising. Clive Sawyer, Chairman and Founder of EWIF, and Managing Director of Business Options commented: “The winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award was Rosemary Conley,
CBE, of Rosemary Conley diet & fitness classes and EWIF were delighted to have this opportunity to formal recognise the work Rosemary has done to forward the whole women in franchising cause.”

Graeme Jones, Head of Franchising, NatWest said: "As the number one bank for Franchising, NatWest was proud to sponsor these awards and encourage more women to realise the benefits of running a successful franchise. NatWest are committed to developing female entrepreneurship, we have our own dedicated Women in Business Service as well as links with everywoman."

The ENCOURAGING WOMEN INTO FRANCHISING Group (EWIF) was established in 2008, by Clive Sawyer, managing Director of Business Options, with the mission to inspire, encourage, educate and support women considering or involved in franchising through its network of Ambassadors. The Group is made up of representatives from throughout the whole franchise industry.

Image: The winners, the finalists, and the judges