Earlier this year, having represented franchisors since its inception more than 30 years ago, the bfa opened up its top governing body to include franchisees, with Ken Bevis, owner of Signs Express in Grimsby, and Justin Brookes, owner of Mail Boxes Etc in Headington, Oxfordshire, the first to be appointed.

The bfa has also increased the number of affiliate board directors from the professional support sector, which includes solicitors, bankers, and consultants, to two, with Graeme Jones, head of franchising for RBS Group being the latest to join.

Director General of the bfa Brian Smart said: “These are important times for the bfa and the franchise industry as a whole. Not only have we increased the voice of our valued professional advisors in the industry, but we have now directly engaged with franchisees in a way that has never been done before in the UK.

“This marks an important step forward in our development, one that will allow us to speak to government on a national and international stage with more power than before. As our work continues, we hope to reach a position where we are directly representing thousands of small and medium sized business across the country”.

All three newcomers will now play a key role as voting members of the bfa board to further push forward new developments.

For more information on all aspects of franchising visit www.thebfa.org