Basingstoke-based businesswomen Kristy Roff and Suzanne Evett, owners of Get Ahead South, are delighted to have made it to the finals of the 2023 BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards.
Founded in 1977, the British Franchise Association (BFA) is a self-regulating governing body formed to accredit and promote franchise systems that meet strict ethical and business criteria. Competing amongst many other entrants, Kristy and Suzanne have been chosen as finalists in the Lifestyle Franchisee category.
Friends for over fifteen years, Kristy and Suzanne founded their business in 2019 to work flexibly around their families and gain a better work-life balance. After a successful start, they had to navigate the challenges of covid and homeschooling. But with restrictions eased, they were able to accelerate their business growth, expanding into Surrey to create a new Get Ahead South superhub in 2022 and winning the Great British Franchisee Awards in 2023.
Commenting on the announcement, Kristy and Suzanne said: “We are absolutely delighted to have reached the finals of these awards. Becoming franchisees with Get Ahead was a great decision for us, and we would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone considering it.
The freedom it has given us to balance work and family life has been life-changing. It also allowed us to grow our own virtual expert team, offering flexible work to other people. Many of our friends didn’t return to their pre-baby corporate jobs. We knew there was a real need to create flexible work opportunities for the highly skilled parents that were being lost from the workplace.
Running our business hasn’t always been plain sailing. But we are immensely proud of how far we have come and everything we have achieved in providing a flexible solution for both our clients and our experienced experts looking for balance in their lives.”
Pip Wilkins, Chief Executive of the BFA, said: “We would like to offer our enormous congratulations to all this year’s finalists. We received a huge amount of entries, and it was wonderful to read of all the amazing work being done in the UK franchising sector. We applaud our finalists for their enthusiasm, dedication and tenacity and for continuing to uphold the highest standards of the association.”
UK Head of Franchise, Commercial Banking at sponsors HSBC Bank Gillian Morris said: “Shortlisting candidates for the HSBC bfa Awards is one of the toughest challenges of the year, once more the candidates were a very high standard, and it was very tough to shortlist just a few entries. I was really impressed at the diversity of entries across brands and sectors, which is a great testament to the strength and reach of the franchise industry. I am looking forward to meeting the finalists and wish them all luck!”
Winners will be announced at a gala black-tie event following the BFA’s annual conference on 9th November 2023.
