Becoming a successful franchisor is no easy task. The initial investment in the franchise model is significant in terms of both time and capital, and the process needs careful planning. Once ready, the challenging task of finding, training and supporting the right franchisees takes centre stage.

That’s why this year the British Franchise Association (bfa) recognised early success and future potential by introducing an Emerging Franchisor of the Year category into its prestigious annual awards.

It’s also why we at Right at Home UK are so pleased to be shortlisted in what has quickly become one of the most popular categories – seeing off a huge amount of competition from businesses across the UK that have been franchising for five years or less.

Ours was one of three franchises that the judges felt stood out to be nominated for the coveted award, the results of which are announced on Thursday.

It certainly helps that our man at the top knows a thing or two about franchising – managing director Ken Deary is himself a former bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year!

That award, 20 years’ experience in franchising and eight in the care sector gives Ken excellent insight into the needs of franchisees and places the highest standards at the heart of Right at Home. His expertise and approach has been crucial, providing hands-on advice to franchisees on a daily basis and ensuring an ethos of integrity courses through the veins of the company.

Ken said: “I am particularly proud to be nominated as a finalist in the Emerging Franchisor of the Year Award, as it is the first time it has been run and therefore will include every franchise aged five years or less.”

A large, established brand in the US, Ken bought Right at Home into the UK in 2010 and chose from the outset to expand carefully and sustainably: the network will surpass 25 offices this year, with a cap of 10 new starters per year from here on out. The focus here is always on quality – of care, of staff, of franchisees.

Our first franchisee, Tim Haigh, has enjoyed outstanding success and reported a remarkable zero staff turnover last year. His results have also set the benchmark and tone for future franchisees to over-achieve against forecasts too. Four franchisees have now joined Right at Home through referral from the network, a good sign in any franchise.

As you’d expect, our support is very strong. Led by operations director Tim Jones, the ratio of head office staff to franchisees is 1:6 and new training programmes are continually under development in close collaboration with franchisees, alongside benchmarking across the network.