bfa announces New Board Appointments
Members of the British Franchise Association (bfa) have elected six new representatives to sit on the Association’s Board of Directors.
The results of the election were announced at the Association’s Annual General Meeting in December.
The newly elected bfa Board members are:-
Judy Behl, managing director and founder of Scenic Blue (UK) Ltd. Launched in 1992, Scenic Blue is the UK’s only garden design and construction franchise. The business was acquired by Marshalls Plc in November 2006. Judy remains as Managing Director. She has been a bfa regional chair and a non-executive director for Business Link Kent.
Kevin Cox, managing director of Antal International. Kevin has been in franchising for 15 years, starting originally with Humana International where he opened over 300 offices in 29 countries. In 2001, he was given the opportunity to build the franchise arm of Antal International. Today, Antal International is firmly established with 52 overseas offices in 18 countries.
Brian Duckett, managing director of Howarth Franchising. Brian has 30 years franchising experience, having once been a franchisee himself, and now runs a successful franchise consultancy. Howarth Franchising comprises a team of twelve experienced franchise practitioners, with well over 120 man-years experience of developing and operating franchised systems.
Michael Eyre, managing director and founder of Blazes Fireplaces & Heating Centres Ltd. Blazes is the only franchised business in the fireplace and heating industry. Michael’s first experience in franchising was in 1985 as a franchisee. He then went on to establish and develop his own franchise business, Blazes, in 1990.
Mike Goddard, managing director and founder of Belvoir Lettings. Founded in 1994, Belvoir began franchising in 1996. Today it has 95 offices nationwide, tapping into the buoyant lettings market as a specialist residential lettings agency. Mike has been an active bfa member, recently serving as regional chair for the Midlands.
Melvin Lusty, Chairman of Chemex International. Melvin started in franchising in 1980 as a 23 year old carpet cleaner; ten years later, he found himself as the owner of Rainbow International, through the acquisition of a USA Master Licence. He sold Rainbow in 2004 and since March 2006 is a partner in the team running Chemex. Melvin has previously served on the bfa Board, notably as Chairman for 2002-2003.
The continuing franchisor members of the Board are as follows:-
| Chris Gillam | Mail Boxes Etc |
| Nigel Toplis | Recognition Express |
| Steve Emmerson | Ventrolla |
| Brian Lewis | Cash Generator |
| Marilyn Keen | Swisher |
| Richard Edwards | Stainbusters |
| David Corbett | Signs Express |
The Board is made up of elected representatives who are members of the bfa. The Chairman of the Board for 2006-2007, Nigel Toplis (managing director of Recognition Express) was elected last year and during 2007 he will be assisted by a newly appointed Deputy Chairman, Steve Emmerson (existing board member and managing director of Ventrolla Ltd). The Board includes 12 Full Franchisor members, one Associate member, one representative of the Association’s Affiliated professional advisors, the Board’s Legal Advisor and the bfa Director General, Brian Smart. The Association has also enjoyed the support of its long standing President, Sir Bernard Ingham, for more than a decade.
Nigel Toplis, bfa Chairman, comments, “On behalf of the membership and the Board, I would like to congratulate the newly elected Board representatives. The experience of the combined Board will be invaluable in providing representative direction to the sector as a whole.”
Board members are also allocated functional roles in which they “steward” a specific strand of bfa activity. The 2007 stewards are:-
| Governance | Nigel Toplis |
| International | David Corbett |
| Media & Marketing | Melvin Lusty |
| CBI & External Groups | Steve Emmerson |
| Accreditation Committee | Mike Goddard |
| Forums | Marilyn Keen |
| Exhibitions | Chris Gillam |
| Finance | Michael Eyre |
-Ends-
Notes to the Editor
- The British Franchise Association (bfa) was set up in 1977 and is the only voluntary self-accrediting body for the UK franchise sector. Its aim is to promote ethical franchising practice in the UK and help the industry develop credibility, influence and favourable circumstance for growth.
- Franchisor members have to meet the standards set by the Association in order to establish that their franchise represents a fair and ethical opportunity. The standards are adopted from the European Franchise Federation (EFF) Code of Ethics and set out in The Ethics of Franchising. More information on the bfa can be found at www.thebfa.org.
- The UK franchising industry has a turnover of £10.3 billion (2005 was the first time industry annual turnover broke the £10 billion barrier), and employs more than 360,000 people.
- There are 759 active franchise systems operating in the UK and last year, 92 per cent of all franchisees reported profitability.
- For further information please contact Dina Morton on 01491 578 050 or email dmorton@thebfa.org.
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