Among the newest franchise partners are Adnan Siddiqi and Urfi Usmani, long-time friends who have launched in St Helens. Their professional backgrounds in IT and local government might not suggest an obvious route into care – but their fresh perspectives and lived experiences make them a perfect fit for Visiting Angels.
A lonely life
“We’ve both seen first-hand how challenging things have become in the care sector – not just for those receiving care, but for the carers themselves,” said Adnan. “We know how lonely life can feel for older or disabled people, especially when support is limited or rushed. We want to bring that spark back – not just to help people live safely at home, but to feel connected, valued and part of the world again.”
Urfi added: “At the end of the day, care is about people – and when carers feel respected, listened to and supported, that flows through into the care they give. That’s the culture we’re working hard to build. One where care workers feel proud of what they do, and where they have the tools, time and trust to really make a difference.”
Stepping away from the corporate world
The franchise’s growing network also welcomes businessman Max Read, who has launched in North London, teaming up with Registered Care Manager Sharlean Campbell. Max, who spent over two decades working with global consumer brands, decided to step away from the corporate world in favour of a franchise opportunity with lasting social impact. In Sharlean, he found the perfect colleague – a care professional with more than 15 years’ experience and a history of achieving ‘Outstanding’ ratings from the CQC.
“I knew that if I was going to make a difference in this sector, I needed to do it with someone who really understands care at its best,” said Max. “Sharlean’s passion for care, and her record of achieving ‘Outstanding’ with the CQC, are remarkable. It’s something we’re proud to build on here in North London.”
Sharlean said: “I’ve seen first-hand the difference that compassionate, consistent care can make – but I’ve also seen how often care staff are overlooked. At Visiting Angels, we want to change that. By supporting our care professionals, we can deliver the kind of care families really need and deserve.”
Hospitals coming under pressure
The launch comes at a time when hospitals across London are under pressure, with beds in short supply. The team believes high-quality home care can help relieve some of this strain, while allowing people to live well in their own homes.
“We want to help people recover, manage long-term conditions and age with dignity at home,” added Max. “That means families get peace of mind, and the NHS gets some breathing space.”
The arrival of Adnan, Urfi, Max and Sharlean demonstrates Visiting Angels’ commitment to recruiting the right people, not just any people. The network is expanding carefully and deliberately, ensuring franchise partners share its carer-first philosophy and have the professional acumen to drive sustainable growth. With more territories being awarded across the UK this year, Visiting Angels is also preparing to take its pioneering model into Europe as the next step in its expansion strategy.
“Our growth is purposeful and values-led – we don’t just award franchises to anyone,” said Dan Archer, UK CEO of Visiting Angels. “We look for people who genuinely believe in our mission to improve care and support for both clients and carers. The quality and experience of franchise partners like Adnan, Urfi and Max, alongside others who have joined this year, show that our approach is working. As we prepare to take our model into Europe, I’m excited to see how far this movement can go.”
Visiting Angels will be showcasing its franchise opportunity at the National Franchise Exhibition at the NEC, Birmingham on 3rd and 4th October, where prospective franchisees can meet the team and learn more about joining a purposeful, people-first brand.
