Franchise guru set for mountain climb

The Managing Director of Bardon Group, which owns franchises Recognition Express and ComputerXplorers, is hoping the franchise industry will support his charity mountain climb. Nigel Toplis (pictured) is set to climb Kilimanjaro in December to raise money for the children's charity WellChild.

Mr Toplis said: "Despite the fact that franchised businesses contribute over £11 billion a year to our economy, many in the UK still struggle to get their heads round franchising. All the members of the bfa work very hard to help publicise the tremendous opportunities that buying a franchise can bring - to individuals, to businesses and to the wider economy. Now though I would like them to get behind me in this fund-raising climb to raise a significant amount of money for WellChild.

"I appreciate that many companies have their own designated charities, but it would be really great gesture for the franchise community to support my trek as generously as possible."