Ian Cain with a winning strategy
posted on 17-Oct-2011
A sound ethical business strategy focused on tackling key environmental management issues has proved to be a winning formula for Ian Cain, owner of an Edinburgh-based NBC Bird and Pest Control franchise.
At last month’s bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards, supported by Express Newspapers, he collected the Bronze Award and was named 2011 bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year for the Scotland region.
Mr Cain, who has successfully built up an environmentally responsible wildlife management franchise, which employs 11 people, deploys 30 birds, and provides services for the whole of Scotland, won praise from the judges for his commitment to ethical business and for building and retaining a portfolio of high end customers across Scotland.
Like many people, the former environmental health and safety consultant had reached a stage in his career where he wanted a fresh direction. He was inspired by the idea of a self employment, and specifically franchise ownership, and in 2004, during a visit to a franchise exhibition, he had his first encounter with NBC Bird and Pest Solutions, which among other services, uses birds of prey to control nuisance birds. The following year he began building his own Greenfield franchise territory in Scotland.
He quickly amassed an impressive list of clients, which included National Galleries of Scotland, National Grid, and a number of councils across Scotland, and became involved in some environmental research work with Scottish Natural Heritage.
He has also completed Scotland’s largest ever bird proofing project as part of the Aberdeen harbour redevelopment.
Receiving his award at a gala ceremony at the NEC Birmingham, Mr Cain said: “With a career history focused around the environment and occupational health and safety, my commitment to providing environmentally friendly, ethical services to our clients has developed to become a core element of the business. The whole team is thrilled to achieve this fantastic recognition of all our hard work and we are looking forward to further developing the business and to educating the community about environmental safety.”
Presenting Mr Cain with his award, HSBC Head of Franchising Cathryn Hayes said: “It has been a pleasure to witness so many enterprising business people who are excelling through planning, perseverance, innovation and creativity. Ian has used his background in occupational health and safety in the oil and gas industry to build a successful business and is a true credit to the franchising industry and an inspiration to small businesses throughout the UK.”
The Gold Award and title 2011 bfa HSBC Franchisee of the Year went to Mike and Catharine Chalton, from Moreton on the Wirral, who own a Home Instead Senior Care franchise, and the Silver Award was won by McDonald’s franchisee Afia Sirkhot who operates two restaurants in the Birmingham and Dudley areas.
