Business development specialist, Colin Fitzpatrick, will spearhead the brand's continued growth
It’s been a year of celebration for US-born kids coding franchise, Code Ninjas. After successfully launching on British soil with the opening of Code Ninjas Watford in July, the support team has welcomed experienced business development specialist, Colin Fitzpatrick, to spearhead the brand’s continued growth. And, at the end of an undoubtedly challenging year, Justin Nihiser, CEO, was proud to recognise the achievements of his network during a digital awards ceremony.
“We hosted a virtual awards evening on 19 November, which our franchisees around the world were welcomed to take part in. It was wonderful to be able to recognise the individuals that have made a significant impact on their ninjas - the name we give our students - their teams and, ultimately, their communities. We’re so pleased that Colin was able to join us for the virtual event and, although we’re all slightly disappointed that our annual NinjaCon couldn’t go ahead this year, this was a fantastic alternative,” explained Justin.
Colin, who previously worked alongside Justin at children’s music education franchise, School of Rock, joins the Code Ninjas support team with 14 years’ experience in franchising. To allow the global brand to execute the franchisee-inclusive strategy developed in recent months, Justin recognised the need for key senior leaders. Colin’s background in franchise network development qualified him as the perfect person to take Code Ninjas’ global growth to new heights as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Alliances.
“From day one it was clear that the team I was joining at Code Ninjas is not just your typical franchise. The passion they share for sharing the wonders of coding with our ninjas and being a positive impact on the communities we serve is contagious,” shared Colin. “I am excited to help the system continue to grow and develop new partnerships with like-minded organisations that are just as focused on sharing coding and developing valuable life skills with kids around the world.”
Colin joins Code Ninjas at a pivotal time for the world’s fastest-growing kids coding franchise. Despite the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the network continues to thrive. In the UK alone, seven locations have opened their dojo doors - much to the delight of coding enthusiasts around the nation. Back in the US, where the first location launched in 2016, the brand has grown at such an exponential rate that the support team will move to new, purpose-built premises, just one mile away from their current headquarters.
“During a year in which so many enterprises have been negatively impacted by the ongoing economic crisis, I’m elated that we’re able to support the franchising and coding industries,” said Justin. “This is down to the 335 franchisees that currently make up our network and their commitment to our cause and belief in the demand for quality kids coding education. I’m looking forward to another year of prosperity in 2021 and my first full year at the helm of such a trailblazing brand. With innovative leaders like Colin by my side, I feel more than prepared for whatever 2021 has in store for us.”