Seven recruits inject new life into the Stagecoach franchise network

The new franchisees will be taking over businesses both in the UK and overseas

Stagecoach Performing Arts has welcomed its latest crop of seven franchisees, who come with a variety of backgrounds, including Stagecoach alumni, former mainstream education teachers, and business executives.

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The team at Stagecoach Performing Arts’ support centre, in the heart of Woking, met with the new franchisees, delivering training in marketing, customer service, IT and business development.

With the new franchisees taking over Stagecoach schools as far north as Garforth, south as Farnborough and across the pond in Ontario, Canada, training week was a melting pot of cultures and ideas.

Sarah Kelly, CEO of Stagecoach, who met with the franchisees during training, said: “It’s wonderful to see such a wealth of experience joining our global brand and injecting new life into some of our existing schools.

“Although they come from such varied backgrounds, they’re all equally committed to operating the best performing arts schools for children in their respective communities. We’re eager to see where they will take their franchises and, with such opportunity for growth, this is a very exciting time to be joining our network.”

The group spent time meeting with industry experts and an established franchisee, who offered insight on what to expect during those crucial first few months as a business owner.

Amanda Short, performer and former Stagecoach teacher, will take over operations of Stagecoach Coulsdon. “It reaffirmed that Stagecoach is the perfect business for me,” said Short. “I’m taking over the franchise my mum used to run - the same school where I was once a teacher - so it almost feels like I’m coming home.

“I’m so proud to be a part of Stagecoach. I really enjoyed meeting with the support staff and put faces to names. If anything, it’s made me even more excited to take over the franchise.”

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