Antal International Network, a global executive recruitment organisation based in West London, is hoping it will scoop the HSBC Award for Enterprise when the judges announce the winner at a glittering gala luncheon next week.
The UKís top-performing franchisors, representing an industry worth an annual 9.1 billion to the economy, will gather at Londonís Savoy Hotel on Thursday May 26.
Winners will be announced across three hotly-contested categories which will include The British Franchise Association Franchisor of the Year Award, the HSBC Award for Enterprise and Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year.
The Awards are organised by the British Franchise Association and sponsored by the Daily Express and HSBC Bank.
The 11 finalist companies range from smaller businesses such as Energie Fitness Clubs and Printing.com to well-established high street brands such as McDonaldís and Kall Kwik.
This year has also seen a record number of women reaching the National Finals, including 38-year-old Angie Davies, founder and Managing Director of Monkey Music for pre-school children, who is competing for the Express Newspapers Brand Builder category and Rosemary Conley, the famous face behind the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs, who is competing for the top accolade of Franchisor of the Year.
Other successful finalists, such as high street printing specialist, Printing.com, and global executive recruitment organisation, Antal International, are competing for the HSBC Award for Enterprise, which recognises franchisors that have used creative business strategies to increase profits and turnover.
This year the theme for the top title, BFA Franchisor of the Year, was ìSupport for Successî, designed to highlight how franchisors are delivering strength to their franchisee network through an ongoing programme of help and advice.
Director General of the BFA, Brian Smart, said: ìThe British Franchise Association Franchisor of the Year Awards is an industry showcase that recognises and promotes outstanding professionalism within this increasingly important market sector and seeks to reward those who are constantly striving for excellence, both for themselves and for the success of their networks.î
The second category the Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year, sought to show how franchisors have both supported and added value to their brands during the past 18 months.
Business Advertising Manager, Jon Notley, said: ìBuilding great brands is something we understand at Express Newspapers and we look forward to sharing the winnerís story with our family of over four million readers.î
The third category for national recognition - the HSBC Award for Enterprise ñ looks for franchisors who have applied outstanding creative business strategies to generate positive trading results.
HSBCís Head of Franchising, Cathryn Hayes, said: ìEnterprise is at the heart of every successful business and HSBC, which has supported the franchise industry for almost 20 years, is committed to supporting entrepreneurship. Weíre pleased to honour the franchisors who innovate, lead and inspire within their chosen marketplace.î
London Recruitment agency battles it out for top title in franchisor of year awards 2005
.
