Celebrating the 2023 NatWest EWIF award winners

The not-for-profit organisation shares news of its 2023 award winners

The drinks were flowing and the mood was exuberant at this year’s pre-awards drinks reception, in celebration of NatWest EWiF Award finalists for their magnificent achievements over the past year. Everyone was in high spirits, ready to continue the next morning at the NatWest building in Bishopsgate, London, for the 13th annual NatWest EWiF Awards.

The theme for this year’s event, Breaking Through Barriers, was to recognise that running a franchise of any size, is not easy, without throwing in the additional challenges of the last few years. As was evident time-and-time again, through the 130-plus entries submitted, competition was fierce – so fierce that one category ended up with two winners.

Here are the winners who Broke through Barriers in 2023

New Woman Franchisee of the Year, sponsored by Moneypenny
Emily Kerrison - Kidslingo

Emily felt her previous career had run its course. So, she opened a Kidslingo franchise, tapping into her personal passions of languages and teaching, and it paid off! Emily smashed through her first-year targets, sharing her love of languages with more students than she’d ever hoped for.

New Woman Franchisor of the Year, sponsored by Daisy First Aid
Jenna Wilson and Fay Smith - Little Dreams

Jenna and Fay launched their Little Dreams franchise in 2021, to help more babies and their parents to achieve better sleep. Within their first year, Jenna and Fay expanded their offering, giving franchisees a second income stream to help meet the incredible demand, and they are fast building a reputation as experts for achieving a restful night’s sleep.

Woman Franchise Employee of the Year, sponsored by Boddy Matthews
Heather Wehrle - Right at Home UK

In 2022, Heather led the network on a mission to change how the care industry is perceived. As a result, she tripled job applications for franchisees, which amongst many other things she pioneered, earned her a promotion to director level at the start of 2023.

Service Provider of the Year, sponsored by NatWest
Suzie McCafferty - Platinum Wave Franchising

Mentor and advisor, Suzie guides brands with their UK launch or expansion, using her extensive franchising knowledge. Despite the personal challenges she faced, Platinum Wave grew in 2022, and she hired a new franchise development coach to help meet demand.

EWiF Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by Little Movers
Ruth Brown - Home Instead

Ruth is well-known and highly respected for her commitment to franchising and her desire to collaborate with others. She has empowered women to start a business, educated people about franchising, encouraged other franchisors, and inspired her network to focus on their wellbeing.

Two equal winners for Young Woman in Franchising of the Year, sponsored by McDonald’s Restaurants
Asha Marie Richardson - Razzamataz Theatre School and Holly Stepien - Bloom Toddler Classes

Asha initially worked in a franchise, and she now runs her own. She is passionate about using her business to ensure no child is left out. In a repeat of history, she mentors a previous teacher, to run her own franchise. She spent six weeks in Ghana last summer with the charity she founded.

Holly also came from within a franchise, as a client. She wanted to use her business to give back to others in a similar position to where she had been. Since then, she has bought three more territories and launched a brand new franchise initiative last May with her franchisor!

Woman Franchisee of the Year, sponsored by Atlas Mapping
Amy Patel Popat - Right at Home

Amy has become a trusted franchisee who Head Office often ask for feedback on their developments. She also initiates ideas, helping to strengthen her franchise. Last year, Amy led research into staff retention which helped the whole network with their staff.

Woman Franchisor of the Year, sponsored by Novuna Business Finance
Jenni Dunman - Daisy First Aid

Jenni needed to increase staff and upgrade systems for her ever-growing network. She also collaborated with new customer sources, developed new courses, and connected with people across her industry, increasing her franchisees’ growth potential.

Inspirational Woman of the Year, sponsored by Platinum Wave Franchising
Angela Sterling - Lingotot

This inspirational woman went above and beyond to make a difference, not only to her own franchise but other franchises too. Angela revolutionised and strengthened how her franchise operates, and regularly speaks with MPs – even the Prime Minister – about the benefit of franchising.

And finally, Suzie McCafferty was crowned the Overall Woman in Franchising, sponsored by the BFA. Suzie is deeply passionate about franchising and, in 2022, she dedicated her time to helping budding franchisors achieve their growth goals, all whilst battling unrelenting personal challenges.

She is a true inspiration and role model for all women in the franchising industry.

The EWIF would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who entered, attended, hosted and sponsored the awards this year. Congratulations to all the winners.