British Franchise Association and Approved Franchise Association join forces ‘to strengthen sector in the UK’.
There has been a significant development in UK franchising, with the news that two organisations have become one. With the month of June barely three days old, there was an announcement by the British Franchise Association (BFA) saying that they had acquired the Plymouth-based Approved Franchise Association (AFA).
According to a press release issued by the BFA, this move will ‘strengthen the UK franchise sector.’ A statement on the BFA website added: ‘It will unite the two independent associations together, under the BFA umbrella.’ The BFA stressed that the two bodies ‘share values and strong ethics’ and that this unification will be ‘a huge step forward for the industry as a whole.’
The BFA, whose headquarters are in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was formed in 1977 with the aim of promoting and self-regulating the industry. It has always promoted itself as the voice of ethical franchising, with its members having to satisfy a rigorous accreditation process.
Pip Wilkins, chief executive of the BFA, said: “Over the past 18 months the BFA has gone from strength to strength with increased services and more inclusivity. We have become everyone’s trusted partner in franchising. When Claire Robinson (AFA) and I spoke about the acquisition, it became really clear that we had been on very similar journeys, but on separate paths.
“The BFA‘s core values focus on passion and integrity, and we both have a great passion to educate and support businesses in franchising. I fully believe that everything happens for a reason, and I have no doubt that now is the right time for us to work together for the greater good of franchising. I am looking forward to working closely with existing AFA members.”
Claire Robinson of the AFA, added: “Six years ago there was a real need for support among the smaller, lifestyle franchise companies. This was a gap which the AFA filled. I am proud to have grown it to where it is today, but I am now keen to focus on the growth of my own franchise business.
“I have witnessed the transition of the BFA to become a much more inclusive association, with a desire to support every type of franchise business. I am excited about the future and how Pip and I can work together over the next 12 months to support AFA members to make a smooth transition to BFA membership.
“I really feel that I have made the best decision for the industry in choosing the BFA to become my trusted partner too. I’ve loved my role as CEO of the AFA but this is a very positive move and an exciting time for UK franchising.”
Claire will be taking a role within the BFA called ‘Lifestyle Ambassador‘ and will continue to champion a cause she feels so passionate about. This role will help to promote the benefits of ‘business format franchising’ to as wide an audience as possible.
The final word goes to Pip who talked about the importance of this significant news: “An association exists to protect the industry, to promote it and to represent it with one strong and consistent voice. This is what makes now, the perfect time for the BFA and AFA to put collaboration at the forefront and become one association.”
