Case Study - Richard Keast

Countrywide Grounds Maintenance, a bfa full member, has seen many of its franchisees experience phenomenal growth over the last few years. Richard Keast (pictured) has been one of the success stories at Countrywide. Richard became a franchisee back in 1991. Despite him having, what some would say is a mature business, he has achieved consistent year on year growth and more importantly consistently high profits.

He runs a franchise employing 20 staff, and numbering 9 vans, 12 tractors in his fleet and an envious customer database. "I would never have thought that my business would have grown in this way since joining Countrywide and it was testament to this growth that I have been a Countrywide Franchisee of the Year," said Richard.

Richard’s background was in project management and he worked overseas with spells in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain before deciding to return to the UK. He has his wife and daughter actively involved with the business and by choice Richard still has a "hands-on’ approach.

"My days are so varied but they can start by completing tender documentation, visiting a site to price it up, meet up with town council representatives to discuss work in progress and finished off doing some spraying and planting. I make it a priority to do much of the quality control inspections and to meet my customers on a regular basis. By doing this it ensures that we retain work, gain extra work and also attract new business."

Richard continued, "The best thing about running my own franchised business is that I have freedom of choice, I can determine my own destiny and have a secure future. The franchisor has provided me with back-up and support that has enabled me to achieve growth quickly and consistently."

Simon Stott, Managing Director of the Countrywide group said, "We have a winning formula when it comes to sourcing and retaining grounds maintenance contracts. Richard has been an exemplary franchisee and has recouped the rewards from his and his team’s efforts."