Ambition, collaboration and a clear focus on customers took centre stage as Greensleeves Lawn Care brought its franchise network together for its 2026 annual franchise reunion at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

Eighty Greensleeves franchisees joined 550 franchisees from across the wider Neighbourly® brand network for the annual gathering, which this year carried the theme Forging Ahead – a confident statement of intent for the brand’s next phase of growth.

Across a packed agenda, discussions centred on strengthening customer acquisition, increasing retention and delivering consistently exceptional service. The message was clear: sustainable growth starts with deepening customer relationships and continually enhancing the value Greensleeves provides in every local territory.

Cheryl Harper, Managing Director of Greensleeves, said: “When we talk about forging ahead, we’re talking about mindset. It’s about challenging ourselves to be better – better for our customers, better for our teams and better as business owners. The opportunity in our market is significant, but success comes from being proactive, adaptable and relentlessly focused on delivering value.

“As a network, we’re in a strong position – but we can’t be complacent. Our priority is making sure every franchisee has the clarity, confidence and capability to grow their business in a way that’s both sustainable and customer led.”

During the reunion, Greensleeves unveiled a series of major initiatives designed to support franchisees in doing exactly that. This included significant enhancements to the brand’s website, featuring new consumer-facing videos showcasing its full range of services, aimed at strengthening brand engagement and supporting local enquiry conversion.

The brand also launched a new Learning & Development platform for franchisees and their teams, reinforcing its commitment to equipping the network with the skills, knowledge and operational consistency needed to scale successfully.

Cheryl added: “Continuous improvement is part of our culture. By investing in better digital tools and structured development for our people, we’re not just supporting growth today – we’re laying the foundations for long-term success across the network.”

The event also celebrated performance and progress, with awards recognising achievement in categories including Top 3 Turnover, Outstanding Customer Service, Business Transformation and Rising Star.

Among the standout winners were Lesley and Jamie Clark at Greensleeves Doncaster, who were awarded the coveted Franchisee of the Year award. Reflecting on their win, they said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been named Franchisee of the Year. Having run our franchise for the past 15 years, receiving this recognition at this stage in our journey feels incredibly special.

“We’ve always believed in following the proven model, and that consistency has played a key role in our success and ultimately in achieving this award.”

Franchisees also heard from guest speaker Mike Davis, CEO of Neighbourly®, who shared insights on the strength of the franchise model and the opportunities ahead for established, service-led brands like Greensleeves.

Reflecting on the event, Cheryl concluded: “Bringing our franchisees together is always a highlight. The energy in the room, the sharing of ideas and the collective ambition to raise standards even further is what makes this network special. We’re forging ahead with focus, momentum and a clear commitment to delivering outstanding service in every community we serve.”