The awards, sponsored by Express Newspapers and HSBC, demonstrate that even in an economic downturn there are many business success stories to be told, with this year’s theme focusing on ‘Today’s Foundations for Tomorrow’s Success’.
The winner was selected from nine finalists, all strong contenders, but it was Countywide Grounds Maintenance’s commitment to investing time and money into securing the future of their business and the many franchisee businesses making up their entire network that won them the franchise industry’s top accolade.
Managing director Simon Stott said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won, and it is a great testament to the hard work and dedication of all the head office support staff and franchisees. Over the last 18 months we have developed some new and exciting initiatives with our franchisees to ensure that Countrywide Grounds Maintenance remains the market leader and the business drives its turnover and profitability forward during these challenging times.”
With over 20 years’ experience serving the gardens and grounds of many of the UK’s leading companies, Countrywide Ground Maintenance is well equipped to deliver a cost effective, high quality grounds maintenance service at single or multi site locations.
The Countrywide business now represents a comprehensive national network, with a multi-million pound turnover and thousands of satisfied customers.
Mr Stott added: “We are the only franchise business operating in our sector, and as a franchise operation we have far superior local management compared to our competitors, better national coverage, better financial control locally, better staff utilisation, and higher profitability for the franchisees.”
Sir Bernard Ingham, president of the bfa and chairman of the judges for the awards said: “Franchisors today are under many pressures. They hold in their hands the livelihoods of many individual business owners and the means to secure their future demands, foresight, acumen and investment. This year the awards were conducted during a very difficult economic climate and the winner, Countrywide Grounds Maintenance, has clearly demonstrated that the work it is doing will ensure the future success of its business.”
Other winners on the night included TaxAssist who collected the silver award, and Wiltshire Farm Foods who received the bronze award. GreenThumb won Express Newspapers Brand Builder of the Year, and the HSBC Award for Enterprise was presented to Home Instead Senior Care.