Earlier this year the BFA (British Franchise Association) announced they were collaborating with the EWIF (Encouraging Women into Franchising) Awards, with the two organisations coming together for the first time to hold their events on the same day, to reduce costs and time out of office for attendees.
The full agenda, meanwhile, has now been revealed for the regularly sold-out EWIB event, that has been bringing women from the franchising sector together to network, learn and grow since 2013.
A packed agenda
The full day agenda is packed with sessions designed to challenge, inspire and send delegates home with practical tools they can use immediately. Highlights include ‘Leadership, Legacy, Impact’, an exercise in defining what truly drives you; ‘Seven Minute Stories’, where a panel of women share the pivotal moments that shaped their businesses; a practical session on turning ambition into action; and a group discussion on how the most successful women in franchising lift others as they climb.
Captive audience
Psychotherapist and broadcaster Lucy Beresford will deliver her talk ‘The Psychology of Relationships at Work’, giving delegates key insights into understanding behaviour, improving communication and creating healthier, more productive working relationships.
Former hostage negotiator Suzanne Williams QPM will explore ‘Influencing When it Matters Most: Key Lessons from a Hostage Negotiator’, covering the power of active listening, building trust quickly and making effective decisions when the stakes are high.
EWIF Awards
Following the final speaker, guests will be treated to an early supper and complimentary drink as they network with fellow guests before the 2026 EWIF Awards.
The EWIF Awards at 6.30pm will celebrate the achievements of women across a host of categories from New Woman Franchisor of the Year to Inspirational Woman in Franchising of the Year.
After party
In a first for EWIB, there will be an exclusive BusinessesForSale.com AfterParty, in association with Elite Franchise. The party, to be held at a nearby venue, will give attendees and award winners complimentary food and drinks and the chance to relax and celebrate after a long day.
Proud to support
Jodie Marsh, Commercial Director at Elite Franchise, said: “We feel very proud to be supporting such an incredible initiative for women in the industry and those coming into it. The AfterParty adds an additional dimension to EWIB and EWIF; we love celebrating and networking with the best in franchising, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
Diversity and Inclusion
Saleem Anwar, COO at BusinessesForSale.com, added: “Franchising inherently promotes diversity, inclusion and access to people who may not be able to get into business through other routes and EWIB and EWIF are spiritually linked to that mission. The AfterParty feels like a natural next step and a wonderful extension of the day. We’re very much looking forward to doing more in this space.”
‘Life changing’
Pip Wilkins QFP, CEO of the BFA said: “My enormous thanks to all our headline sponsors, McDonald’s Restaurants, HSBC UK, Platinum Wave & Morton Michel, who make it possible for us to bring EWIB to the female franchising community. Year after year we receive phenomenal feedback after the event, with delegates using words like ‘life changing’ to describe the effect it had on them and their businesses. 2026 is really taking things up a gear. Not only will we have the EWIF awards for the first time but the new after party will give everyone a chance to relax after a long day, to truly celebrate the lessons learned, the awards won and the relationships built at what we are sure will be, our best ever EWIB event to date.”
Tickets to EWIB and EWIF are available here.
