Hear real life franchisee stories at Birmingham's NEC franchise exhibition this October

whichfranchise is delighted to once again be sponsoring the ‘Real Franchise Stories’ panels, the next of which is at the British Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham NEC on the 2nd - 3rd of October 2015.

At whichfranchise we are passionate about helping you to decide if franchising is right for you, so what better way to do this than hearing first-hand from real-life franchisees about their journey into franchising.

What is it really like to run a franchise? Has it changed their lives for the better? What might they have done differently with hind sight? Come along to the franchisee panels on each day of the exhibition and hear the answers to these and many other questions, as well as having the opportunity to pose your questions to franchisees from businesses including: WPA, Auditel, Martin & Co, Expense Reduction Analysts,Anytime Fitness, Driver Hire, Gas-Elec, and Promedica Plus.

Panelists at the forthcoming exhibition will include:

Theatre 1: Friday, 2nd of October, 13.15 - 14.00

Theatre 1: Friday, 2nd of October, 15.15- 16.00

Theatre 1: Saturday, 3rd of October, 11.45 - 12.30

Theatre 1: Saturday, 3rd of October, 14.00 - 14.30

*Please note that the speakers may be subject to change

Franchisee biographies:

David Kendall – Auditel

Prior to becoming an Auditel franchisee, David qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, and then held several corporate level positions within the distribution and manufacturing industry. Having joined Auditel in August 2011, David now directs a partnership of Auditel consultants, called Impenza, who joined together to form a centre of excellence for strategic cost management. Their client base consists of leading retail, manufacturing and distribution companies. They have also established partnerships with many leading professional and consultancy practices throughout the UK, including a number of top 50 accountancy firms.

To read more about the Auditel franchise opportunity, please click here

Mike Tewnion - Ecocleen

After spending three or four nights away from home and most Friday afternoons at the wrong end of the M1, Mike decided that he had had enough of putting effort in for the benefit of a corporation and decided to do something for himself. It was then that he came across Ecocleen, who offered a business model that suited his aspirations. Mike is now at the point where his own business now pretty much runs itself – so much so, that after a recent accident put him out of action for a couple of months, the business still continued to grow in that time!!

To read more about the Ecocleen franchise opportunity, please click here  

Jason Adderley - Expense Reduction Analysts

Jason joined Expense Reduction Analysts in 2010 after 15 years in the commercial property development, investment and asset management sector. As an experienced business development professional, Jason focuses on acquiring new clients for the services provided by Expense Reduction Analysts. He specialises in identifying creative and robust solutions, with a particular focus on clients in the legal and professional services sector. Jason is a member of St Pauls Club, a Worcestershire Ambassador and runs the networking group Baggies in Property. He is married with 2 young children, has held a West Bromwich Albion season ticket since 1985 and spends the rest of his spare time tinkering with an old Alfa Romeo.

To read more about the ERA franchise opportunity, please click here  

Vance Parsons - Driver Hire

Vance became Driver Hire’s franchisee for Hereford and Worcester, along with his wife Sue, in 2013. Having previously worked for a franchisor with responsibility for selling territories, Vance knew all about the benefits of being a franchisee, so when he chose to set up his own business, he knew that franchising was the right choice for him. During his first year as a Driver Hire franchisee, Vance exceeded annual turnover predictions, and since then has gone on to win ‘Franchisee of the Year’ award at the national Startups Awards, and Driver Hire’s ‘New Start of the Year’ award!

To read more about the Driver Hire franchise opportunity, please click here  

Lynda Buntin - WPA

Prior to joining WPA in 2009, Lynda had no experience in the insurance industry, however despite this she has managed to increase her client numbers five-fold in the last 4 years. She attributes this to her persistence, combined with WPA’s strong product offering, efficient back-up, and support for Healthcare Partners to grow their business. Lynda, whose business covers the Northampton and Peterborough area, was named WPA Healthcare Partner of the Year in 2014.

To read more about the WPA franchise opportunity, please click here

Christopher Tansley - Right at Home

Christopher is no stranger to franchising! In his former career he was an independent franchise consultant, helping people to find the right brand and business to match their skills and interests. It was during this time that he became familiar with the Right at Home business model and was impressed by its steady UK growth and ethical approach to providing quality home care.

After successfully introducing a couple of franchisees into the Right at Home network, Christopher decided that he was actually an ideal candidate himself. He wound up his consultancy business, successfully completed the recruitment process and went on to open Right at Home Nottingham South in the autumn of 2013. In the two years since, Christopher has achieved very impressive growth and is now operating an average of more than 850 hours of care per week.

To read more about the Right at Home franchise opportunity, please click here

Peter Grieves - Martin & Co

Peter has been successfully running his Martin & Co franchise since May 2008, along with his wife Rani. Prior to this Peter worked as a senior manager in commercial property lettings and was also the Deputy Chairman of the British Institute of Innkeeping. He decided it was time to leave the corporate world behind to create a successful business in his local community, and having identified franchising as the best way forward, chose to put his experience in property to good use by becoming a Martin & Co franchisee.

To read more about the Martin & Co franchise opportunity, please click here.

Julian Westwood - Diamond Logistics

Prior to becoming a Diamond Logistics franchisee, Julian came from a background of logistics recruitment where he had a great lifestyle and income. He saw the opportunity in the Diamond Franchise and wanted to build a sustainable business which was going to enable him to achieve a multimillion pound turnover in his area. Julian now enjoys work as Diamond Logistics’ Birmingham franchisee where he is establishing his depot and reaping the rewards.

To read more about the Diamond Logistics franchise opportunity, please click here.

Gary Wassall - Gas-Elec

 Prior to becoming a gas-elec franchisee, Gary worked as an operations manager at Pharmatech Ltd, where he controlled the design production, quality assurance and health and safety. Gary had a required technical background of mechanical engineering and held electrical qualifications, meaning he was a perfect candidate to be accepted onto the gas-elec, gas training course.

After fully researching the franchise opportunity with gas-elec, Gary completed the additional training, signed his franchise agreement and became a safety inspection engineer covering in and around the Birmingham area. Now in his 9th year as a gas-elec franchisee, Gary has updated and improved on his qualifications, and has built up a network of clients, who value not only his work and customer service skills, but his advice and friendly personality too.

To read more about the Gas-Elec franchise opportunity, please click here.

Tibor Dusnoki - Promedica Plus

Tibor has a vast experience of working within the care industry, however had never considered becoming a franchisee, until he spent some time working alongside staff at ProMedica as an independent agent. He quickly realised how much support and assistance he could receive by becoming a franchisee, and so he chose to do just that! Tibor is now franchisee for South East, Surrey and London and finds it extremely rewarding to help provide people with the best care options possible.

To read more about the Promedica Plus franchise opportunity, please click here.

Lorrain Gannon - Expense Reducation Analysts

Lorraine joined ERA in 2011, following a successful career as a qualified accountant, working for a government agency, and prior to that a chain of gastro pubs. After taking the decision to pursue self-employment, Lorraine looked at franchise opportunities and decided that ERA would be an ideal fit for her. Based in Malvern, when she’s not working Lorraine likes to spend time with her husband and two young children, taking holidays, reading psychological based books and doing charity work.

To read more about the ERA franchise opportunity, please click here  

Why not also drop by the whichfranchise stand where you will receive even more impartial
information and advice on entering into the world of franchising.