Celebrating a decade of operations in the sumptuous surroundings of Woburn Abbey's Sculpture Gallery, London House founders Godfrey Lancashire and Brian Hughes reveal their undiminished enthusiasm and optimism for the white collar risk control and investigation franchise.

"We are concentrating on further network development and plan to complete our UK coverage in the next two years," reveals Brian. "We've got the right product and are growing our infrastructure to improve our positive training and support for franchisees."

This infrastructure development has included the appointment of sales and marketing specialist Gil Moolenaar, who has been with the company for 12 months providing new ideas, writing press releases and sales letters and consulting with every franchisee on a monthly basis. "The strength of the support team shows we have a lot to offer," Brian reflects. "There isn't anything we can't undertake, and this is reflected in the franchise, where there isn't anybody we can't work for. London House franchisees provide services to commerce, banking, industry...even domestic clients. The franchise is set up to allow the franchisee to manage their own time, while operating with low overheads and no stock."

The 10th anniversary reception was well attended by franchisees from as far afield as Durham, Manchester, Doncaster, Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Bristol and Bournemouth. Additional guests included representatives from clients such as Abbey, Lloyds TSB, NatWest, Alliance & Leicester, Bank of Scotland, Allied Irish Banks, Barclays, Egg, Dixons, plus 14 major firms of solicitors. "It is wonderful to have so many friends join us in celebrating our landmark anniversary," toasts Godfrey.

Among the franchisees present was the network's newest member David DeGiorgio, who opened his Ipswich and Colchester office in May. "London House stood out from the other management-type franchise opportunities I examined," he reveals. "I was looking for a business I could operate from home, with no staff requirement and an element of control over what I do. I visited a number of professional brands, but none stood out until I met the London House team."

Coming from a background in the insurance industry, David is enjoying the different working environment. "It is a change from being stuck in an office," he reflects. "I enjoy most the investigation side of the business - being given the basic information and then going out and finding a person." London House franchisees offer a wide portfolio of creditor services, including routine surveillance, lifestyle reports, repossessions, process serving, expert witnesses, CV checking, company searches, counter-money laundering, witness statements, internal theft and fraud checks, and pre-employment screening for drugs and alcohol. "I'm really pleased with my progress so far," adds David. "My first client commissioned a lucrative surveillance job, which gave me a lot of confidence in the business. I'm taking a pro-active approach to marketing the business - Gil has produced a press release for me to announce my launch and some introductory letters to send out to a cross section of solicitors and accountants in my territory."

As London House seeks to complete its network, Brian and Godfrey have identified the primary target areas for recruitment of franchisees. Godfrey explains: "We are seeking individuals with a commercial brain and professional manner in Essex, Nottingham/Derby, Oxford, Cambridge and Swansea, plus territories in the north, east, south east and south west of London."