Trailblazers in tuition: husband-and-wife duo celebrate 15 years of changing lives through franchising.

Rob and Lynne Kerrison, the husband-and-wife team behind Tutor Doctor Cambridge and Norwich, are marking an incredible milestone: 15 years of transforming the educational journey of thousands of young people.

Since launching their business in 2010, Rob and Lynne have become trailblazers in delivering accessible, personalised tuition to students, both in-home and in-school. From pioneering new programmes to building partnerships that break down barriers to learning, their story highlights an unwavering belief that every child deserves the chance to succeed.

From corporate careers to tutoring pioneers

Before stepping into the world of education, Rob and Lynne worked in the corporate world, but both felt a growing desire to do something more meaningful. “As much as we valued our careers, we wanted to wake up every day knowing we were making a real difference,” explained Rob. “When we discovered Tutor Doctor, it felt like exactly the right fit for us.”

In early 2010, they took the leap becoming franchisees – first in Cambridge and later expanding into Norwich. Their achievements over the past decade and a half have been nothing short of remarkable. From winning numerous awards, including accolades from Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWiF) and the National Tutoring Awards, to working with over 200 tutors, they now deliver close to 20,000 hours of tutoring every year.

Reflecting on the journey, Rob shared, “We’ve seen firsthand the difference tuition can make to a child’s confidence and future prospects. It’s been a real privilege to help so many families over the years.”

Leaving a legacy

Rob and Lynne haven’t just delivered tutoring – they’ve reshaped how it’s been provided. They played a major role in developing Tutor Doctor’s groundbreaking Schools Delivery Programme, which has transformed support for schools and local education authorities.

“When the National Tutoring Programme ended, we knew we couldn’t just step back,” said Lynne. “We had to find new ways to keep reaching the students who needed help the most.”

They launched initiatives like GCSE Boost to ensure no learner was left behind. Today, they work with more than 50 schools and multiple local authorities across Cambridgeshire and East Anglia. “We’re so proud of how our team has continued to adapt and evolve,” added Lynne. “For us, it’s always been about finding new ways to make learning more accessible and thus have a far wider impact.”

Giving back to the community

In their 15 years as Tutor Doctor franchisees, giving back has always been at the heart of Rob and Lynne’s approach. A recent partnership with Cambridge Sports Development Foundation and Cambridge Rugby Club perfectly captures this ethos. By blending academic support with sports coaching, they’re creating opportunities for a number of local students who have previously struggled with mainstream education.

Rob explained, “It’s so important to create safe spaces where children feel supported, valued and able to reconnect with education. These students may have fallen through the cracks at their schools, but we wanted to provide them a space where they feel like they belong, and crucially to help rebuild that trust with adult role models.”

“Seeing the fruits of our labour in the community is really rewarding,” shared Lynne. “Nothing compares to seeing young people thrive – not just in their studies, but in life too. That’s what keeps us motivated each and every day!”

Looking ahead

Rob and Lynne remain dedicated to continuously improving, innovating and giving back to their community. Alongside their day-to-day work, they also mentor fellow franchisees and play a vital role in shaping the future of the Tutor Doctor network, both in the UK and across the globe.

Frank Milner, global president of Tutor Doctor, shared his congratulations: “Rob and Lynne have been a key part of our network for years. Their passion and dedication have continuously set the bar for what’s possible as a Tutor Doctor franchisee. We’re so proud of everything they’ve achieved and look forward to seeing the impact continue for many years to come.”