BLINDING RESULT FOR HANLEY MAN IN FRANCHISE FINALS

Media Release - 8 October 2004

Mark Meredith who runs the Apollo Blinds franchise in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, won a highly commended certificate of merit in this year’s Franchisee of the Year Awards, sponsored by HSBC Bank and the Daily Express.

The award was presented to Mark by Cathryn Hayes, HSBC’s national franchise manager, at a gala dinner at the ICC in Birmingham last Thursday night (7 October). HSBC has provided financial support and advice to franchisors and franchisees in the UK for over 20 years and has more than doubled its lending to the sector during the first half of 2004.

Speaking after the awards, Mark put his success down to a number of factors: “One of the benefits of franchising is the support you get from a professional, national network. It gives you the confidence you need to go out and push the boundaries and tender for those big contracts, but in doing so you must follow the franchisor’s proven business formula. This is what I’ve done and I’m reaping the benefits now.”

Mark’s franchise has recently secured contracts with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire Police and has even supplied and fitted blinds in the Mayor’s parlour.

In presenting the awards, Cathryn Hayes, national franchise manager at HSBC, said: “Franchising gives people the opportunity to make the most of their entrepreneurial talent, but with fewer risks than starting their own business from scratch. As a leading lender to the franchise sector, HSBC recognises that the hard work, enthusiasm and business nous of people like Mark will help turn a good franchise into a great franchise. He deserves his success.”

Four years ago, Mark took over his father’s established independent blinds business and switched to franchising with Apollo Blinds. As a result he has seen his business grow by a staggering 300 per cent, with 49 per cent of his business coming from repeat business and referrals. His success with Apollo Blinds has encouraged him to open a second outlet in the West Midlands.

Mark follows the franchise format, but also adds his own personal touch. A star in the business is his pet pedigree boxer dog George, who has become a bit of a celebrity since appearing in Apollo Blind’s marketing material. Mark says that many people call in just to say hello to George.

The theme for this year’s awards was “Beating the Competition – How Franchising Makes A Difference.” The Awards are judged by a panel chaired by the British Franchise Association’s president, Sir Bernard Ingham.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The British Franchise Association Awards reward franchisees that demonstrate outstanding commercial achievement through ethical franchising and are sponsored by HSBC Bank and the Daily Express. The theme of this year’s competition is “Beating the Competition” – How Franchising Makes A Difference”.
2. Other winners in this year’s awards were:

   1st place, Michael Roney from Driver Hire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire;
   Joint 2nd place, Simon Stack from Snap-on Tools, York;
   Joint 2nd place, Jack Glen from McDonald’s, Hamilton;
   3rd place, Adam and Ruth Brenner, Prontaprint, Newcastle.

   The following were highly commended by the British Franchise Association, HSBC Bank and the Daily Express:
   Mark Meredith from Apollo Blinds, Stoke-on-Trent; Craig Collins from Cartridge World, Exeter, Exmouth and Plymouth; John Murray from Cash Generator, Airdrie and Wishaw; Robert Bates from Clarks Shoes, Abergavenny, Brecon, Merthyr Tydfil and Exmouth; Ian Michael and Richard Ball from Countrywide Grounds Maintenance, Neath Abbey, and; David and Jacqui Henshaw from National Schoolwear Centres, Swindon.

3. The HSBC Group HSBC Bank plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, and a member of the HSBC Group. Serving over 110 million customers worldwide, the HSBC Group has approximately 10,000 offices in 76 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$1,154 billion at 30 June 2004, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the world’s local bank’.
4. For further press information on HSBC’s support for franchising and/or an interview with Cathryn Hayes please contact: Alex Bellinger, Media Relations Manager, HSBC on 020 7991 0654.
5. To contact Michael Roney please call 01604 670199.