2023 NatWest EWiF Awards

Celebrating the achievements of women across the franchising industry.

Each year we attract over one hundred entries that exemplify the talent, dedication and innovation of individuals and teams across all aspects of franchising.

We celebrate women right across the UK, from every sector and from businesses of all ages and all sizes. Has your vision grown a successful business? Your leadership inspired others? Or has your innovative approach brought change to your sector? Enter one of our awards and demonstrate why you are one of the best women / business in franchising.

The awards are free to enter and open to all UK businesses involved in franchising, you do not need to be an EWIF member.

2023 EWiF Award Ceremony:

The drinks were flowing, and the mood was exuberant, at this year’s pre-awards drinks reception. A way to acknowledge all NatWest EWiF Award finalists for their magnificent achievements over the past year. It put everyone in fine spirits, ready to carry on the celebrations the next morning, at the NatWest building in Bishopsgate, London, for the 13th annual NatWest EWiF Awards on 16th May.

The theme for this year’s event, Breaking Through Barriers, was to recognise that running a franchise of any size, is not easy… without throwing in the additional challenges we’ve tackled, over the last few years. As was evident time-and-time again, throughout the 130+ entries submitted! Competition was fierce – so fierce one category ended up with two winners!

“I’m so honoured to recognise this year’s award winners. It was truly uplifting to see the diversity, talent, and innovation that is driving our industry forward. As we honour the achievements of these remarkable women in our industry, we are reminded of the progress we’ve made and the exciting future that lies ahead,” said Helen Mansfield, EWiF MD.

Scroll down to find out who our 2023 winners are…

The 2023 EWiF Award Winners

New Woman Franchisee of the Year 2023

Emily Kerrison, Kidslingo

Emily felt her previous career had run its course. So, opened a Kidslingo franchise, tapping into her personal passions of languages and teaching. And, it shows! Emily smashed through her first year targets, sharing her love of languages with more students than she’d planned for.

New Woman Franchisor of the Year 2023

Jenna Wilson & Fay Smith, Little Dreams

Jenna & Fay launched their Little Dreams franchise in 2021, to help more babies… AND their parents… achieve better sleep! Within their first year, Jenna and Fay expanded their offering, giving franchisees a second income stream to help meet the incredible demand they received and are fast building a reputation as experts in achieving a restful night’s sleep!

Young Woman in Franchising of the Year 2023 – Joint winner

Asha Marie Richardson, Razzamataz

Asha rose from working for a franchisee, to running her own. She’s passionate about using her business to ensure no child is left out. In a repeat of history, she mentors a previous teacher, with her own franchise. Oh, and she spent 6 weeks in Ghana, last summer, with the charity she’d founded.

Young Woman in Franchising of the Year 2023 – Joint winner

Holly Stepien, Bloom Toddler Classes

In May last year, at the age of 28, Holly joined forces with her franchisor, to launch a brand-new franchise initiative. Together, they onboarded their first franchisee within a month, and a further 15 within 6 months – including their first international franchisee! All this despite overcoming severe post-natal depression, which became an incentive for her to help improve the lives of so many other mothers too.

Service Provider of the Year 2023

Suzie McCafferty, Platinum Wave Franchising

Mentor and advisor, Suzie, guides brands with their UK launch or expansion, using her extensive franchising knowledge. In spite of the personal challenges she faced, Platinum Wave grew in 2022, and she hired a new Franchise Development Coach to help meet demand.

Woman Franchise Employee of the Year 2023

Heather Wehrle, Right at Home UK

In 2022, Heather led the network on a mission to change how the care industry is perceived. As a result, she tripled job applications for franchisees, which amongst other things she pioneered, earned her a promotion to Director level, at the start of 2023.

Inspirational Woman of the Year 2023

Angela Sterling, Lingotot

Our inspirational woman went above and beyond to make a difference not only her own franchise but other franchises too. She managed to revolutionise and strengthen the way in which her franchise operates, and regularly speak with MPs – even the Prime Minister himself – about the benefit of franchising as a route for business.

EWiF Ambassador of the Year 2023

Ruth Brown, Home Instead

Ruth is well-known, and highly respected for her commitment to franchising, and her desire to collaborate with others. She’s empowered women to start a business, educated people about franchising, encouraged other franchisors, and inspired her network to focus on their wellbeing.

Woman Franchisor of the Year 2023

Jenni Dunman, Daisy First Aid

Leading a franchise network is not an easy task, but Jenni’s drive and creativity saw her take her franchise to new heights in 2022. She increased her head office team and upgraded systems, while simultaneously embarking on new projects to drive customer growth for her franchisees.

Overall Woman in Franchising of the Year 2023

Suzie McCafferty, Platinum Wave Franchising

Suzie was chosen as our overall winner as she is deeply passionate about franchising and in 2022 dedicated her time to helping budding franchisors achieve their growth goals. All the while battling against an unrelenting backdrop of personal challenges. She is a true inspiration and role model for all women in our industry.

Woman Franchisee of the Year 2023

Amy Patel Popat, Right at Home

Running a top franchise in the network is a brilliant accomplishment. Amy embarks on initiatives to help the whole brand, implements wellbeing initiatives for her staff, and is a huge advocate of workplace diversity, providing an open and safe working environment for her colleagues and clients.

The 2023 award finalists were:

New Woman Franchisor of the Year 2023 sponsored by Daisy First Aid

Holly Stepien – Bloom Toddler Classes Limited
Jenna Wilson and Fay Smith – Little Dreams
Karen Gibb – Mind Marvels

Woman Franchisor of the Year 2023 sponsored by Novuna Business Finance

Angela Sterling – Lingotot
Jenni Dunman – Daisy First Aid
Lucy Campbell – Right at Home UK

New Woman Franchisee of the Year 2023 sponsored by Moneypenny

Emily Kerrison – Kidslingo
Sarah Maguire – Raison Home
Shafali Shown-Keen – McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd

Woman Franchisee of the Year 2023 sponsored by Atlas Mapping

Ally Phillips – Pink Spaghetti
Amy Patel Popat – Right at Home UK
Ellie Cawdell – Puddle Ducks
Jessie Lilley – babyballet

Woman Franchise Employee of the Year 2023 sponsored by Boddy Matthews

Alex Bunn – Revive! Auto Innovations (UK) Limited
Bella Hallam – Visiting Angels
Heather Wehrle – Right at Home UK
Katie Morris – Petpals

Young Woman in Franchising of the Year 2023 (Under 30 years) sponsored by McDonald’s Restaurants

Asha Marie Richardson – Razzamataz Theatre Schools
Eloise Prosser – GoodOaks Homecare
Holly Stepien – Bloom Toddler Classes Limited

Service Provider of the Year 2023 (Male or female) sponsored by NatWest

Desirie Lea – Morris & Co Chartered Accountants
Jen Chapman-Boffin – CB Cinder Ltd
Nigel Apperley – Trustist
Suzie McCafferty – Platinum Wave Franchising

Inspirational Woman in Franchising 2023 sponsored by Platinum Wave

Angela Sterling – Lingotot
Hannah MacKechnie – Radfield Home Care
Jenni Dunman – Daisy First Aid

Ambassador of the Year 2023 (Male or female) sponsored by Little Movers

Kate Matthews – Boddy Matthews
Ruth Brown – Home Instead
Suzie McCafferty – Platinum Wave Franchising

The impact winning these awards has had on my business is already clear to see. It has been heartwarming to receive such wonderful feedback and messages of congratulations since we announced the award wins on social media. As well as the PR, it has also given the team and franchise network a wonderful boost.

Claire O’Connor, babyballet – Inspirational Woman of the Year 2021

Winning this award gives potential clients and staff confidence that we are a great company to work for and to receive a service from, enabling us to continue to grow our business faster, perhaps, than we would have without it.

Hannah Drury, Caremark – Young Woman in Franchising of the Year 2021

EWiF’s work and these awards, in particular, provide an incredibly important platform for women in franchising. Not only do they champion women’s inspiring achievements and business success, but they also provide a valuable opportunity to show what it takes to succeed in the franchise sector.

Jess Pritchard, Moneypenny – Sponsor of the New Woman Franchisee of the Year Award 2022

Winning this award will help us stand out to potential Franchise Owners and elevate our brand even further, and it will hopefully attract even more women to join the Right at Home family.

Lucy Campbell, Right at Home UK – Woman Franchisor of the Year 2020, 2021 & 2022

Our Speakers

Lucy Campbell, CEO at Right at Home UK

GUEST SPEAKER

With a wealth of knowledge and experience in franchising and senior level business management, Lucy joined Right at Home from the social enterprise Franchising Works where she had been the Chief Executive. Having begun her time at Right at Home as a Senior Business Support Manager where she supported Franchise Owners to progress and develop their businesses, Lucy quickly progressed to Director of Operations, then COO, before being promoted to CEO at the start of 2022.

Lucy has a strong track record for developing an extensive portfolio of businesses successfully from pre-start through to scale-up and her leadership has been pivotal in securing Right at Home two of the most prestigious accolades in franchising: the WorkBuzz Best Management Franchise Award and the coveted Franchisor of the Year Gold Award.

Alongside her role as CEO, Lucy is a Vice Chair for the Homecare Association. Lucy is also an award-winning franchisor, having won the prestigious national EWiF Franchisor of the Year award three years in a row in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and Leaders in Care’s Executive of the Year 2022.

Claire Lomas

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Claire had to endure the darkest of days following a horse riding accident which left her paralysed from the chest down, shattering all her dreams and goals as well as losing her identity. She needed to dig deep to find the strength, determination and courage to rebuild her life. She did just that- to an unforeseeable and extraordinary degree.

Claire made worldwide headlines when she walked the London Marathon in 2012 using a robotic suit, taking 17 days. She has now raised over £850,000 for charity through numerous challenges for which she was awarded an MBE, she rides motorbikes on track days, and has recently qualified as a pilot as well as being a mum to two girls. She is constantly pushing any boundaries.

Everyone will face unwanted changes throughout their lives and come up against obstacles which may feel like mountains; Claire shows you that your biggest asset is a positive mindset and shares how you can develop this greatest attribute which will enable you to achieve far more.