The winners of the annual bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards have been revealed.

Mike and Catharine Chalton of Home Instead Senior Care in Wirral were awarded the top prize of Franchisee of the Year Gold Award. The couple, who fought off competition from 14 other finalists, were given the award for the one-to-one, tailor made services and home visits they provide for their elderly clients. They were praised for their commitment to providing high quality care in an industry where some businesses have caused criticism over standards. The judges noted their passion for tackling this serious issue and spearheading an initiative, which sees Home Instead Senior Care working closely with the NHS with the aim of raising healthcare standards across the country.

Chalton said: “Winning this award is fantastic recognition of the lengths our whole team has gone to to make a positive change in the community we live in. To be named as the 2011 bfa HSBC Franchisees of the Year is a great honour and a very exciting reward for everyone at Home Instead Senior Care. We are extremely proud of this achievement which also helps to raise awareness of the company and its vision to change the face of elderly care in the UK.”

Cathryn Hayes, Head of Franchising at HSBC, said: “It was a pleasure to witness so many enterprising businesspeople, who are excelling through planning, perseverance, innovation and creativity. Mike and Catharine’s passion for providing excellent customer service came across strongly and it is great to see how it has resulted in their successful business going from strength to strength. They are a true credit to the franchising industry and an inspiration to small businesses across the UK.”


Another winner at the Awards was Afia Sirkhot of McDonald’s Birmingham and Dudley, who picked up the Silver Award for her dedication to training and developing high quality staff and working with the Birmingham and Dudley communities to build two hugely successful McDonald’s franchises.


Ian Cain of NBC Bird and Pest Solutions Edinburgh was awarded the Bronze Award in recognition of his commitment to ethical business and environmentally responsible wildlife management and for building relationships with, and retaining, a portfolio of high end customers across Scotland.

As well as the Gold, Silver and Bronze Franchisee of the Year Awards, five regional awards were also presented. The winners of these were:

• London and the South East: Asad Hamir, Amar Radia and Adarsh Radia, O2
• Scotland: Ian Cain, NBC Bird and Pest Control
• The Midlands: Afia Sirkhot, McDonald’s
• The North: Mike and Catherine Chalton, Home Instead Senior Care
• The South West and Wales: Lorraine Thompson, Driver Hire

Brian Smart, Director General of the bfa, said: “There were so many strong stories this year, revealing the small businesses which have truly taken advantage of the franchise model to deliver success. We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2011 bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards and are particularly pleased to see the level of commitment the winning franchisees have placed on supporting their communities and adapting their businesses to reflect the challenges of the economic environment.”

Published: 4 October 2011

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