I hope everyone enjoyed a peaceful Christmas break and is now feeling refreshed and looking forward to everything that 2023 might have to offer. At the end of last year, I was delighted to discover that two of the brands within the Belvoir Group are featured in the HSBC UK Elite Franchise Top 100 Annual Guide for 2023.
Some of the biggest names in the franchise world appear in the top 100, which was designed to showcase the best of entrepreneurial Britain by recognising and ranking some of the best franchises in the UK. Judged by highly respected industry experts, it was fantastic to see Northwood entering the top 100 for the first time, and for Belvoir to retain its position as the number one property franchise in the UK, achieving the ranking of number 19 across all franchised brands. These are superb results, and testimony to the strength of the business model and reputation of these brands, which sets them apart from the competition. It is also a great start to 2023 for the Belvoir Group!
The HSBC UK Elite Franchise on-line and printed guide to the top 100 franchises looks superb, providing a really useful starting point to anyone who is researching the type of franchise they would like to invest in.
Awards are always good to win, and plans are underway for Belvoir’s Annual Awards 2023, in which we recognise the achievements and successes of some of Belvoir’s highest performing franchises. This year’s event is planned for March 17th 2023 and follows our Annual Conference, where franchisees have the opportunity to listen to some amazing speakers, gain insights into new innovations and products, network and learn how to further improve their businesses, no matter what challenges lie ahead in the New Year.
Other brands within the Belvoir Group will also have Annual Conferences and Awards throughout the year, as we believe it is important to recognise the efforts of those business owners and their teams who work tirelessly to provide outstanding customer service, whilst also making time to give back to their local communities through supporting local charities and fundraisers.
Talking of fundraising events, Northwood franchisees and Head Office staff plan to brave the freezing winter temperatures with a Big Sleep Out in the New Year! Those taking part will be raising funds to help install Northwood branded defibrillators in the locality of each of their offices. With the assistance of The Community Heartbeat Trust, Northwood will identify the prime locations currently without a community defibrillator, and there will be an additional focus on the homeless community. Research shows that members of homeless communities have an increased risk of cardiac arrest and chances of survival are below 2%. With access to a defibrillator, the survival rate increases to over 33%, and so this is a very worthwhile cause.
All brands within the Belvoir Group are encouraged to contribute to charities of their choice in 2023, and Belvoir is looking forward to completing its ambitious Route 166 charity fundraiser, which was launched at last year’s conference but was postponed due to unforeseen medical problems. Route 166 was the brainchild of Belvoir’s Franchise Director, Ian Maclean, who celebrated his 60th birthday last August and will mark this milestone by embarking on a month-long electric motorbike journey from John O’Groats to Lands’ End, visiting every Belvoir office en-route and raising thousands of pounds along the way for local charities as well as Crisis and Just a Drop. This will be a real highlight of the year, and I wish them every success.
Giving back to local communities and getting your brand recognised as not just a business, but an operation that consists of teams of ‘real people’ who care about their area and the people who live there is becoming increasingly important in a world that has moved so much towards the anonymity of online businesses. I think that having a High Street office, where people can meet those they do business with, is perhaps even more appreciated after the pandemic and lockdown years.
In conclusion, I believe there is much to look forward to in 2023 and on behalf of the Belvoir Group I wish you all a very Happy New Year!
