Franchisees now have their own bfa Forum to represent their interests. Offering support and advice, the aim of the British Franchise Association’s National Franchisee Forum is to give a voice to the people who are running their own franchised businesses.

The bfa's NATIONAL FRANCHISEE FORUM-- which comprises FRANCHISEE REPRESENTATIVES FROM ELECTED bfa FRANCHISOR BOARD MEMBERS AND IS CHAIRED BY SIR BERNARD INGHAM, PRESIDENT OF THE bfa, meets up to four times every year and discusses issues at the very heart of Ethical Franchising. The Forum has a key role in contributing to the formation of the British Franchise Association’s policies and has been established to further re enforce the benefits of ethical franchising as represented by members of the bfa.

Through the Forum, franchisees have an opportunity to make a fundamental contribution to their industry. When the bfa represents ETHICAL FRANCHISING to such bodies as the DTI, or the European Commission we can ensure that we are SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ALL PARTIES involved WITHIN THE FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP.

One of the franchisee representatives is Lance Griffiths. Lance has been running his Driver Hire franchise in Derby for just over a year. “Becoming the Forum rep for one hundred other Driver Hire franchisees is an honour,” says Lance. “But more than that it will give us the opportunity to ensure that new bfa policies, schemes and documentation meets the needs of franchisees, helping to drive the industry forward into the 21st century.”

Summary minutes from each National Franchisee Forum meeting will be presented on this the bfa’s main website and within the key Franchise publications to show the world at large the Franchisee Forum’ s commitment and contribution to the growth of Ethical Franchising in the United Kingdom.