A shortlist of 16 franchisees from across the UK have been drawn up for the prestigious bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards 2010.

Operating in sectors as diverse as automotive, fast food, home improvement and lettings, the finalists encapsulate the best qualities in franchising.

They will now pitch to the bfa judging panel of Sir Bernard Ingham, president of the bfa, Brian Smart, general director of the bfa, Cathryn Hayes, HSBC’s head of franchising, Paul Monaghan, director of The Franchise Development Centre and Hannah Poulton, associate of the Franchise Team.

Franchisees shortlisted – in alphabetical order by region - are as follows:            

1) London & the South East

Wayne Mearns, Belvoir Lettings, Southend-on-Sea & Basildon
Guy Whittaker, Dairy Crest, Guildford
Peter Sullivan, McDonald’s, London

2) Scotland

George Stewart, Apollo Blinds, Hamilton
Frank Sutherland, Autosmart, Aberdeenshire
Stephen McMurray, Signs Express, Falkirk

3) The Midlands

Chris Bird, Autosmart, Stoke-on-Trent
Peter Morrison, Granite Transformation, Cambridge
Glyn Pashley, McDonald’s, Coventry

4) The North

Pamela Schure & Colin Belton, Belvoir Lettings, West Cumbria
Andy & Vicky Thompson, Card Connection, Gateshead
Catharine & Mike Chalton, Home Instead Senior Care, Wirral
Gerald Thompson, McDonald’s, Manchester & Oldham

5) The South West and South Wales

Nick Bourne, Cash Generator, Weymouth
Andy & Shelley Stewart, Dream Doors, Dorset & Taunton
Claire Lamputt, LighterLife, Bridgend

Once the 16 finalists have presented to the bfa panel the five regional winners will be chosen to compete for the coveted UK bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Award 2010.

All the winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner at The NEC Birmingham on 30th September.
Cathryn Hayes, HSBC’s head of franchising, said: “We have seen some truly inspirational franchisees through the nominations again this year and it just goes to show that British entrepreneurialism is most definitely alive and well – despite the recent challenges brought by the economic conditions.

“As a leading bank working with franchisees across the UK, we’ve seen innovation and revolutionary business problem solving as a very positive theme. This has been reflected in the bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Award 2010 nominations, and the final fifteen are a real credit to the franchise industry.
“We are very much looking forward to meeting the individuals behind some of the best franchises in the UK as part of the final judging stage.”

Ben Nealon, classified advertising manager from awards support, Express Newspapers, said: “The calibre of franchisees in the UK for this year’s awards is once again tremendous. Many are utilising the brand activity being undertaken by the franchisor, however many are also working hard to build local awareness as part of growing the business through difficult economic conditions.

“It’s very pleasing to see some of these tactics coming through in the finalists, demonstrating how important local awareness is for business success.”

Brian Smart, director general, bfa, concluded: “Having a strong and supportive franchisor is clearly important however it is the drive and entrepreneurial spirit of the franchisee which can be the difference between a good and an exceptional business. This year’s nominations for the bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards highlight the qualities needed to succeed, demonstrating innovation, creativity and the will to be as good as they possibly can and therefore all should be congratulated.

“We have a very strong finalist line-up going into the face-to-face judging stage and although the decisions will be tough, we’re looking forward to awarding the UK’s best franchisees who really have excelled this year.”