Summary of Operation
London House International is a financial and commercial investigation franchise. As a London House franchise owner, you will be a banking, legal and insurance consultant and investigator, providing a range of services to banks, finance houses, law firms, insurance companies and the rest of the credit industry. As a commercial investigator, your core business will be gathering information to advise clients on the prevention and recovery of loss caused by fraud and bad debt.
Investment required £10,750-£19,750 + VAT
With her background as BSc graduate in criminology, Liz Collins (pictured right, top) is a perfect fit for commercial and financial investigation franchise London House International.
However, Liz took a different route into franchising, when family friend Trevor Williams decided to retire and sell his long established London House Manchester-based business.
“I had wanted to run my own successful company and be my own boss for a while,” explains Liz. “My parents had known Trevor for years and when he mentioned to them that he was thinking about retiring, I decided to shadow him for a few jobs last August to see if London House was an opportunity I would be interested in.”
Her interest suitably fuelled, Liz knew that taking over London House’s Manchester territory was too good a chance to turn down, while Trevor knew that the business he had built up over 15 years would be in safe hands.
Liz undertook London House’s two weeks of initial training at the start of December and was pleasantly surprised that it was so hands-on almost immediately.
“The training was very intensive,” she beams. “I was given eight jobs to do over the first weekend of that period. One of them started in Manchester and coincidently led me back to Milton Keynes, where London House’s head office is based.”
Liz, who had previously worked in administration for the NHS and volunteered at a nearby prison, officially took over London House’s Manchester territory just before Christmas.
“It was the perfect time, as it allowed me to become familiar with the office side of the business and get my office in order,” she says. “Now the work is coming in thick and fast and includes everything from clearing homes following a repossession to process serving and discreet enquires.
“Some of these jobs involve knocking on doors and I think being a female works to my advantage,” she explains. “In fact it is one of my favourite parts of being a London House franchise owner! People feel more at ease opening the door to a young woman than the burly men the public often associates with debt collection enquiries.”
Liz is looking forward to carrying out the many services London House provides which she hasn’t had the opportunity to do yet, while building up her network of business contacts.
“I am looking at joining groups for young professionals in Manchester, as well as attending networking events. Manchester has a wealth of businesses – and therefore potential clients – so I know for the next couple of years I am going to be very busy,” she adds.
London House client testimonials
"Santander has experienced a strong professional relationship with London House. Their standard of work has always met our requirements."
Santander
"Shoosmiths has used London House for some years, and has always found its work to be of the highest standard."
Shoosmiths
"We at NatWest utilise the services of London House International and enjoy a very good relationship with them."
NatWest
London House franchise owner testimonials
Sikander Sleemy (Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea) (pictured right, second from top)
“It has been non-stop since I started, but I am loving every minute of it and, now I have extended my franchise term, I intend to start reaping the rewards of being my own boss.”
Mike King (Cheltenham and Gloucester) (pictured right, third from top)
“I found the combination of classroom work and jobs in the field very useful as it allowed me to apply what I had learned. When I finished the training I felt confident and eager to get started.”
Allan Fern (Dudley) (pictured right, bottom)
“The more I do the more I learn. I just love waking up in the morning and being able to say to myself: ‘Great, work today’!”
Franchise package
London House, established in 1995, offers two investment level options for aspiring franchise owners. Its Standard package provides a town-sized exclusive territory and can be secured for £10,750 + VAT, while its Premium package covers a larger, regional territory combining a number of population centres for an investment starting at £19,750 + VAT.
Both packages include the same level of comprehensive training, ongoing support, full marketing launch programme and access to a Franchise Help Desk, plus introductions to known clients and recommendations about local networking events.
Key Benefits
- Brand reputation and credibility
- Some client business referred from head office
- Established for more than 15 years
- A portfolio of blue-chip client companies
- Minimal overheads
- Professional white-collar operation
- No money invested in stock
- Can satisfactorily work from a home office
- Great lifestyle of variety
- Flexible hours of work
We are still seeking professionals to open offices throughout the UK as our services are in high demand.
Our existing offices include:
Aylesbury & High Wycombe
Birmingham
Bolton & Oldham
Bournemouth
Brighton
Bristol & Bath
Bromley & Croydon
Central & West London
Chelmsford & Southend
Cheltenham & Gloucester
Cleveland
Dorset
Dudley
East Surrey
Exeter & Torquay
Glasgow
Harrow & North West London
Heathrow
Ilford
Ipswich & Colchester
Leeds
Leicester
London South East
Maidstone & North Kent
Manchester
Milton Keynes
Newcastle
Northamptonshire
Norwich
Nottingham
Peterborough
Portsmouth
Preston, Blackburn & Fylde
Reading
Salisbury
Southampton
Stockport
Taunton
Tonbridge & Canterbury
Wolverhampton & Shropshire