Visiting Angels has been shortlisted in the Franchisor Leadership and Culture category as well as the Emerging Franchisor category of the bfa HSBC British Franchise Awards.

Visiting Angels is one of America’s largest home care franchises. Founded 1998, the brand has over 700 franchisees operating in 5 countries. Visiting Angels’ mission is to become the UK care sector’s employer of choice by 2022. To achieve this, the brand has positioned itself in the UK as being ‘carer-centric’ – something which MD, Dan Archers, says is a first for not only a care franchise, but a care company .

Known as the ‘Oscars’ of the franchising industry and set to take place on 24 November in Birmingham, the bfa HSBC British Franchise Awards evening is the flagship event in the franchising calendar and finalists are ones to watch.

This year saw a record number of entries submitted across all categories, leading to an overall increase versus 2021. Despite what continues to be challenging times for most independent businesses, the franchising sector has shown strength and resilience. As a result, many bfa members have reported strong financial performance and continue to build strong, healthy networks.

Visiting Angels will be battling it out against three other franchise brands to take home the coveted Leadership and Culture accolade and against two more franchisors for the Emerging Franchisor title.

The Leadership and Culture category represents passion and commitment to caring for the development, wellbeing and success of the brand’s employed people and their franchisee network.

Pip Wilkins, CEO of the British Franchising Association, congratulated category finalists:

“This category has been particularly sought after in the past few years. As with any with any business the real test on leadership and culture comes during the toughest times and I think its fair to say we have had a fair few of those in recent years. Huge congratulations to Visiting Angels and fellow finalists in a category that are really shining examples of what should be done to achieve change together and remain united in its goals and objectives.”

Gillian Morris, Head of Franchising, HSBC, said:

The annual awards are a celebration of the achievements of the franchise sector, as well as the high standards of the finalists, their innovation and resilience demonstrated over the past year. We look forward to celebrating success with Visiting Angels and their team.

Becoming a finalist in the Emerging Franchisor category is recognition of the strong foundations and leadership needed in the build and growth phase of any brand and business journey. Finalists have shown a real passion for their brand and their people.

To be announced as a finalist for this award is a huge achievement and a real testament to the brand’s hard work and determination. Each year, these awards let us show franchisors that we’ve noticed their efforts, we’ve recognised their positive intention and fantastic impact on their network and the industry and we are thankful for their commitment. A big congratulations to the whole Visiting Angels team. – Pip Wilkins