Attendees gathered from across the country and the franchise industry, to attend the virtual awards ceremony and celebrate the successes of the award finalists and winners.
“This was the 11th annual NatWest EWiF Awards and once again, we received a record number of award entries! The entries from 2020 are uplifting and inspiring in a unique way, they detail more struggle and hardship than most years but with that comes great tales of courage, problem-solving and spirit. The professionalism and achievements of all the finalists and winners is inspiring. They’re great examples of the kind of women we’ve been privileged to work with; women breaking into the industry and taking their futures in their own hands,” explains Helen Mansfield, MD of EWIF.
And the winners are…
New Woman Franchisor of the Year 2021 sponsored by Daisy First Aid
Deborah Salsbury, The Reading Doctor Ltd
At the start of the pandemic, The Reading Doctor franchise had only just begun, with 4 franchisees. The franchise helps struggling readers to overcome their barriers to learning. As the lockdown closed schools, franchisor, Deborah Salsbury, adapted to reach out to disadvantaged young people, being impacted. The lengths she went, to help young people in their greatest time of need, is truly an achievement in itself. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Deborah and The Reading Doctor.
Woman Franchisor of the Year 2021 sponsored by Hitachi Capital Franchise Finance
Lucy Campbell, Right at Home UK
This is the second year Lucy Campbell, Right at Home’s Chief Operating Officer, has taken home this title; showing how inspirational and ambitious she is! 2020 was a challenging year for everyone, especially those in the care sector. Lucy navigated her network of 60+ franchisees, in a practical and pragmatic manner, and Right at Home achieved its most successful year. Congratulations, Lucy!
New Woman Franchisee of the Year 2021 sponsored by NatWest
Gemma Green, it’seeze
Having only opened her franchise in February 2020, Gemma Green has achieved staggering success, and made her franchise fee back within 4 months. During lockdown, she used the time to her advantage, and increased social media engagement, rising to the top of the sales leader board. She also had more 5-Star Trustpilot reviews than any other franchisee in 2020. Congratulations, Gemma!
Woman Franchisee of the Year 2021 sponsored by Darwin Gray
Victoria Rowley, Puddle Ducks
Victoria is Puddle Ducks youngest franchisee, and leads the way with her hard work, outside the box thinking and support to other franchisees. In August 2020, she expanded her business, when she bought a neighbouring franchise, and merged the two areas together. She managed to keep customer numbers, and all her teachers in work, despite operating from less than half of her pools. Go Victoria!
Woman Franchise Employee of the Year 2021 sponsored by Boddy Matthews
Elaine Hamilton, Caremark
Elaine Hamilton is Field Care Supervisor at Caremark Sutton. In spite of the global pandemic, the key to her success is her authentic and passionate leadership style. Throughout 2020 Elaine selflessly helped care workers deliver excellent care in the community, and personally contacted their most isolated and vulnerable clients during lockdown. Elaine you are a great credit to the Caremark team. Congratulations!
Young Woman in Franchising of the Year 2021 (Under 30 years) sponsored by McDonald’s Restaurants
Hannah Drury, Caremark
Hannah is no stranger to the EWiF Awards, having walked away with Young Woman in Franchising 2018 and 2019; this year makes it an award hat-trick! Her dedication to her network, staff and community continue to impress the judges. From supporting her staff with a smooth transition into remote working, to collaborating with the Police on their initiative ‘The Herbert Protocol’ to protect the vulnerable, Hannah takes everything in her stride. Congratulations, Hannah!
Service Provider of the Year 2021 sponsored by FranScape
Kate Matthews, Boddy Matthews
As an integral part of the EWiF Community, Kate’s senior role in the legal profession lends itself to encouraging and assisting women, across franchising. In 2020, she supported businesses most affected by COVID 19, even providing pro bona support for a variety of legal complications arising from the pandemic and lockdown. You inspire us, Kate!
Inspirational Woman in Franchising 2021 sponsored by Platinum Wave
Claire O’Connor, babyballet
Claire O’Connor is definitely an Inspirational Woman in Franchising. She pivoted her business online, creating additional content and resources whilst adapting all her systems, marketing, reporting and infrastructure to reflect a new way of working. She also onboarded five new franchisees, and sold a master licence in New Zealand – how about that for pandemic inspiration!
Ambassador of the Year 2021 sponsored by What Franchise
Kate Matthews, Boddy Matthews
Kate has been the EWiF South Regional Chair for many years now, and is helping to drive the growth and development of EWiF. She arranged countless regional meetings, engaged with Ambassador’s up and down the country and her firm, Boddy Matthews Solicitors, also sponsors one of the EWiF Award categories. A very worthy Ambassador of the Year; thank you, Kate!
Most Innovative Leadership Throughout the Pandemic sponsored byCoconut Creatives
Anna Neville, Kidslingo
This award was voted for by the franchise community, and Anna Neville of Kidslingo proved to stand out as she led her network, through the changing landscape of teaching online. She worked tirelessly to migrate all their classes online and supporting franchisees who had extra students join their language classes. What an inspiration you are, Anna!
The Overall Woman in Franchising award, sponsored by the bfa, is Claire O’Connor from babyballet!
EWiF is a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. Our mission is to educate, inspire and empower by providing advice and guidance to women looking for a route into the franchising industry.
To find out more about becoming part of EWiF visit www.ewif.org or email info@ewif.org