Franchise partners take flight as Visiting Angels expands across Scotland

Across Scotland, Visiting Angels is transforming the face of home care. The carer-centric in-home care franchise is proving that when you put carers first, compassion, quality and business success naturally follow. Led by passionate franchise partners committed to delivering care differently, Visiting Angels is expanding from Edinburgh to Stirling to Renfrewshire – setting new standards for how care can, and should, be delivered across Scottish communities.

Courtney and Felicity Bennett-Pearson, the duo behind Visiting Angels Edinburgh East, have had a whirlwind two years since launching. Their dedication and values-led approach have earned them five national award nominations – including Startup Employer of the Year at the Stars of Social Care Awards – no mean feat for a company in a sector regularly under the spotlight for employment challenges.

“From the very beginning, we knew we wanted more,” said Courtney. “We’ve built a strong reputation locally and grown so quickly that expanding across the rest of Edinburgh and the Lothians just felt right. Because we put our carers at the heart of everything, they feel valued, supported and professionally recognised – and that’s what makes it possible to deliver the kind of exceptional care that’s getting us noticed as an employer.”

The pair also achieved a perfect five-out-of-five Care Inspectorate rating for the second year running – a standard all Visiting Angels offices across Scotland uphold. “It’s so rewarding to know what we’re doing is working for both our caregivers and clients,” added Felicity. “We’re entering the next stage of growth confident that what we stand for is working in practice.”

Further north, Sheena Khangura at Visiting Angels Stirlingshire is taking her commitment to quality care seriously as her business expands into Perth and Kinross – an area where access to reliable home care has been a long-standing challenge. “There’s a definite need for care in more remote areas, but many providers avoid them,” explained Sheena. “We wanted to make sure those people aren’t forgotten. Everyone deserves consistency, compassion and time – and that only happens when the carers themselves feel supported.”

Since launching last year, Sheena’s team has grown rapidly, now supporting more than 45 clients. “Our carers go above and beyond because they’re at the centre of our business,” she continued. “When people feel rewarded and recognised for the incredible work they do, it shows in the quality of care they deliver. That’s what being carer-centric really means – when carers feel fulfilled, clients experience the difference.”

In the west, Georg Gottschlich, owner of Visiting Angels Renfrewshire, is expanding into Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, East Kilbride, Lanarkshire and South Glasgow. A former NHS nurse, Georg has built his business on empathy, trust and deep community roots. “When I launched my office over 4 years ago, I wanted to grow – but to grow well,” he said. “We still know every client by name and that won’t change. I live in the same community as many of the people we support, so I see firsthand what a difference proper care makes. The personal connection is everything.”

With around 50 clients, 25 carers and a small but mighty office team, Georg is determined to keep quality front and centre as the business grows. “It’s easy to grow too fast and lose sight of why you started,” he reflected. “But here in Renfrewshire – and for our fellow franchise partners across Scotland – the focus has always been on quality first.”

Courtney, Felicity, Sheena and Georg are united by a shared belief that genuine leadership in care starts with empathy, empowerment and trust.

For UK CEO Dan Archer, their success represents everything Visiting Angels stands for. “What’s happening in Scotland shows how strong, values-led businesses can thrive while transforming lives,” said Dan. “Our franchise partners are building successful operations with real heart – combining commercial strength with a deep commitment to improving care provision in their communities. It’s proof that purpose and performance can grow side by side, and that’s exactly what sets Visiting Angels apart.”