Husband-and-wife duo claim Franchisee of the Year and Customer Engagement Accolades at flagship franchising awards.

Husband-and-wife team Kev & Amy Popat, owners of homecare provider Right at Home Solent and Southampton, have been named the Franchisee of the Year winners at the 2019 bfa HSBC Franchise Awards, held on June 27 at the Vox, Birmingham.

They won the Franchisee of the Year accolade ahead of five other franchisee category winners on the night of the awards to represent the industry for the next 12 months, with all attendees voting on their Franchisee of the Year.

Earlier in the evening, the pair also won the Customer Engagement award after implementing initiatives that ensured the care they provide Clients is truly exceptional. As well as offering services including companionship, personal care, medication reminders and live-in care, the provider places great emphasis on improving quality of life and organises a wide range of stimulating activities, giving Clients the opportunity to get out into the local community and socialise.

Speaking on the awards, Kev and Amy said: “The customers, those that rely on us, are at the core of our business. Right at Home has the same beliefs and having its support has helped us be the best we can possibly be for our business. This customer focused approach clearly struck a chord with attendees on the evening, too, allowing us to claim the Franchisee of the Year accolade.”

“It is an honour to be recognised for our hard work and we want to thank the whole team and our Clients for making this happen. To be given two awards, one from a judging panel of franchising professionals, the other from all attendees on the evening, is something that has made us both truly humble.”

The awards evening is the flagship event in the franchising calendar and getting a nomination in itself is a major achievement, proving the business works ethically and in the best interests of staff and customers, fighting off many other companies vying for the accolade.

Pip Wilkins, CEO of the British Franchise Association, said: “Kev and Amy are incredibly active in the business and this shone through in their application. For them to claim two major accolades on one night is fully deserved.”

Andy Brattesani, UK Head of Franchising at HSBC, commented: “Kev and Amy were given a CQC Outstanding rating on their first inspection, and that is because of the core values they subscribe to every single day. The time they have for their staff and customers has resulted in them taking both awards.”

Ken Deary, CEO of Right at Home UK, added: “We are incredibly proud to say that one of our offices has been named Franchisee of the Year. Well done to Kev, Amy and the team at Right at Home Solent and Southampton, this is a thoroughly well-deserved achievement.”