Tejwant Karir, franchisee at Driver Hire’s Slough, is in line for a national award. He’s one of just six finalists in the 2015 ‘Startups’ Awards ‘Franchisee of the Year’.

Now into their 12 ^th year, ‘Startups’ Awards celebrate the achievements of the UK’s most impressive, fast-growing businesses launched in the last three years. The awards span 15 different categories which, besides Franchisee of the Year, include Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Tech Business of the Year.

Judged by a high profile panel of entrepreneurs and business people including, Cath Kidston and ‘Dragon’s Den’ star, Touler Suleyman, the winners will be announced in London on 27 ^th November. All awards finalists are also put forward for the additional ‘People’s Champion Award’ which the general public can vote for on the ‘Startups’ website.

Tej bought his Driver Hire franchise in 2013. Over the past two years using his ‘keep it lean’ philosophy, he’s become one of the Driver Hire network’s top 20 franchisees. His emphasis on customer service has paid off handsomely, with the business reaching the £1m turnover mark in Tej’s second year of trading. If trading continues at similar levels, Driver Hire Slough is on target to complete another record year in 2015/16.

“Driver Hire has provided the ‘Startups’ Awards ‘Franchisee of the Year’ winner in both 2013 and 2014. Coupled with Tej’s nomination, that’s an impressive record,” says Lee Devenish, Driver Hire’s Network Development Director. “It’s further proof of the quality of the Driver Hire business model – and, of course – the opportunities it offers to franchisees who work hard and follow our processes and systems.”

He added, “Tej and his four person team have turned what was a good business into a great one. This nomination is well deserved. I, along with everyone at Driver Hire, wish Tej all the best in the finals in November.”