WEST GLAMORGAN DUO DIG DEEP TO WIN AWARD

Media Release - 8 October 2004

Richard Ball and Ian Michael from Neath Abbey, who run the Countrywide Grounds Maintenance franchise in the region, made their mark in business by winning a highly commended certificate of merit in this year’s Franchisee of the Year Awards, sponsored by HSBC Bank and supported by the Daily Express.

The award was presented to Richard and Ian 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, Ian said: “The franchise business enables our customers to receive a local service backed by a national company. There is always support from Countrywide and by taking advantage of central buying we can offer our customers the very best prices, which makes us very competitive. This and a lot of hard work are the secrets of our success.”

By following the proven business model and by working with their franchisor since 1997 when they took on the franchise, Richard and Ian have added £100,000 a year, every year and are now turning over more than £¾m. They employ 30 staff, operate a fleet of 12 vehicles and are considered to be one of the largest privately owned grounds maintenance companies in the UK.

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 Richard and Ian will help turn a good franchise into a great franchise. They deserve their success.”

By working with other franchisees within the network Richard and Ian have been able to secure large contracts, which have helped them move ahead of the competition. They have just secured a three-year contract with the Welsh Development Agency worth more than £60,000.

The Countrywide Group was started in 1984 and offers a national network of professional contractors who provide a landscaping and garden maintenance service, mainly to the commercial sector.

Richard and Ian took on the franchise because of the level of support provided by the Countrywide Group. They say that they have benefited from the training, business development and support provided and that this has created a competitive advantage for them.

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.