Sponsored by HSBC and Express Newspapers, the prestigious bfa Franchisee of the Year Awards celebrate the UK's best franchisees. This year's finalists are all great examples of how to manage change effectively and how with the right dedication and focus they are able to produce outstanding business successes.

Taking home the coveted winning Gold Award and a cheque for £5,000, courtesy of HSBC, was Angie Baynes of Venture UK.

The judges felt that Angie not only represented the best of successful franchising in terms of turnover and profit, but truly caught the spirit of this year's theme of change. Angie showed that age is no barrier to success and that if you are prepared to embrace change and pursue the courage of your convictions you really can turn dreams into reality. Just a few years ago, Angie was working in someone else's business. Now she is the MD of two franchised outlets with a projected turnover of £2 million.

Congratulations and praise was given to Craig Harrison of Pirtek, who took home Silver and a HSBC cheque for £3,000. Craig saw the world changing around him and used those changes as the stimulus to start a new life. As he has grown in the job he has continually introduced new ideas, keeping the organisation fluid, adopting new work practices and new technology, investing in staff, even setting up modern apprenticeship schemes.

Lisa Tobias of Domino's Pizza was also recognised for her achievements, winning Bronze and a HSBC cheque for £2,000. Lisa has worked to change both her own life and the franchises they operate, with great success. She has taken several underperforming outlets and built them up into thriving businesses that now employ 120 people.

The other finalists, who showed great achievements to make the final nine included Frank Sutherland of Autosmart International, Trevor Conduit of Dream Doors, Jenny Boreham of Fastsigns, Mark Richards of McDonalds, Neil & Lorraine Stapleton of Oscar Pet Foods and Christina Kemp of Western Provident Association (WPA).