TOP CLASS RESULT FOR SWINDON SCHOOLWEAR FRANCHISE
Media Release - 8 October 2004
 David and Jacqui Henshaw from Swindon, who are set to run three retailing school uniforms, won 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 Jacqui and David 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 Jacqui commented: “As part of a national franchised business we are able to compete with the major retailers when it comes to bulk buying. We retail schoolwear all year round, unlike our major competitors. Children grow and wear out their uniforms and can’t wait until July or August for new stock to come in. That’s where we have the edge.”
It was when Jacqui decided to return to work after raising a family that she and David, who had a successful career in sales, decided to start their own business. They liked the look of the National Schoolwear franchise because the business model is simple - “Let’s do what major retailers do, but let’s expand on it and do it better.”
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 David and Jacqui will help turn a good franchise into a great franchise. They deserve their success.”
After just three years, David and Jacqui have a turnover of £½ m and are projecting £1m by the end of next year when their plans to open stores in Newbury and Basingstoke are completed.
David says that they are ahead of the competition because they are offering a high level of service which is more personal than that offered by the big retailers. The couple also put their success down to the excellent support they receive from their franchisor who has helped with training, marketing and business management.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The British Franchise Association Awards reward franchisees that demonstrate outstanding commercial achievement through ethical franchising and are sponsored by and the . The theme of this year’s competition is “Beating the Competition” – How Franchising Makes A Difference”.
- Other winners in this year’s awards were:
1st place, Michael Roney from , Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire;
Joint 2nd place, Simon Stack from , York;
Joint 2nd place, Jack Glen from , Hamilton;
3rd place, Adam and Ruth Brenner, , Newcastle.
The following were highly commended by the British Franchise Association, HSBC Bank and the Daily Express:
Mark Meredith from , Stoke-on-Trent; Craig Collins from , Exeter, Exmouth and Plymouth; John Murray from , Airdrie and Wishaw; Robert Bates from Clarks Shoes, Abergavenny, Brecon, Merthyr Tydfil and Exmouth; Ian Michael and Richard Ball from , Neath Abbey, and; David and Jacqui Henshaw from , Swindon.
- 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’.
- 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.
- To contact Michael Roney please call 01604 670199.
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