Petpals welcomed its nationwide franchise network to Staverton Park Hotel in Daventry on Saturday 17th January for its annual conference, with this year’s event marking a particularly special moment as the UK’s longest-established pet-care franchise enters its 25th year.
At the heart of the event was celebration, connection and looking ahead. Franchisees came together to reconnect with peers, share experiences and reflect on the values that have helped Petpals grow into a trusted name in pet care over the past quarter of a century.
Opening the conference, Petpals Director Kevin Thackrah spoke about the significance of the milestone and the people behind the brand: “Reaching 25 years is something we’re incredibly proud of,” said Kevin. “Petpals has always been built on the dedication, professionalism and genuine care of our franchisees, and that really came through on the day.
“Bringing everyone together like this gives us the chance to celebrate what we’ve achieved together, while also getting excited about where we’re heading next.”
The event was hosted by Berkeley Harris, former Royal Marine Commando and Franchise Director, now a global trainer in sales, management and leadership. Alongside guiding the day, Berkeley delivered an engaging seminar encouraging franchisees to recognise the true value of the services they provide and to ensure their businesses reflect the expertise, trust and professionalism they offer to clients every day.
The conference also featured two highly impactful sessions led by award-winning dog trainer Greg Pattison of Great Paws Dog Training. Focusing on dog behaviour, breed prerequisites and understanding group dynamics on walks, Greg’s sessions provided valuable practical insight and were a standout part of the day for many attendees.
Sharing knowledge and supporting one another was a strong theme throughout the day. A peer-led seminar on solo dog walking, hosted by franchisees David Gray and Phil Haydon, explored the growing demand from pet owners for one-to-one walking services. The session highlighted how solo walks can provide greater reassurance, flexibility and personalised care, showing how the network continues to adapt thoughtfully to the needs of pets and their owners.
The focus on high standards of care was further supported by veterinary surgeon Sophie Bell, who delivered a practical and informative session on recognising early signs of health issues and responding calmly and confidently to pet care emergencies, giving franchisees additional tools to support clients with confidence.
As part of its silver anniversary celebrations, Petpals also announced a new nationwide volunteering initiative, inviting franchisees to support local pet charities throughout the year. The initiative was warmly received and reflects the brand’s long-standing commitment to animal welfare and the communities it serves.
The day concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating franchise success and recognising outstanding contributions across the network:
- Most Improved Social Media Award – James Callow, Petpals Crawley
- Most Productive Award – Ray Hipwell, Petpals Chislehurst
- Most Improved Performance Award – James Callow, Petpals Crawley
- Top Performing Franchise Award – David Gray, Petpals Darlington.
“I’ve now attended three Petpals conferences, starting with my first before I even launched Petpals Crawley, and each one has been better than the last,” said James. “They’re always incredibly informative and have played a real role in helping me grow my business.
“Winning two awards this year was a complete surprise and a real honour. I’m incredibly grateful to our loyal clients, who feel like family, and especially to my brilliant pet carer, Denise Tilbury – these achievements simply wouldn’t be possible without her support.”
Closing the conference, Kevin addressed the year ahead. “As we move into our silver anniversary year, it feels like a really exciting time for Petpals,” he said. “With a growing network, fresh ideas and the same pet-first philosophy that has guided us for 25 years, we’re looking forward to the future with confidence.”
