Movers & Shakers (Spring 08)

Howarth Franchising Group
The Howarth Franchising Group has appointed Howard Williams to advise clients in London and East Anglia.

Howard has twenty-five years’ management experience within a variety of different industries including direct sales, banking and finance, insurance and car rental.  Having worked for HFC Bank for several years, he subsequently set up and ran his own successful finance brokerage.  For the last decade, he has been involved in franchising – most of this time spent with National and Alamo Car Rental (both major global franchised brands).

Brian Duckett, Chairman of The Howarth Franchising Group, stated: "We consistently seek to improve the strength of our team, and the breadth and depth of experience we can offer to our clients. Howard's appointment will considerably upgrade the quality of our service and the promotion of our values to clients in London and East Anglia."


Driver Hire
Driver Hire has made two new appointments to its management team, Wayne Clarkson, formerly with Avery Weigh-Tronix, has joined the company as Network Development Director and Jeremy Neale, previously with Cap Gemini and GE Capital, as the Head of Business Process. Both positions are newly created within the company.

The company has also expanded its sales capability by creating a regional sales team that will target new key customers in the UK and Ireland.

Chris Chidley, Driver Hire’s Chief Executive said: “The moves we are announcing today will take us to the next level by improving our quality of customer service and business process, providing efficient and compliant operations whilst enhancing our sales and marketing capabilities.”

Signs Express
The UK & Ireland’s largest sign company, Signs Express, is pleased to announce changes within its head office culminating in the appointment of a new managing director, Craig Brown, and two further directors to the business.

In a move that confirms the bright future of the business, former Managing Director, David Corbett becomes chairman of the leading sign franchise, Frank Eliel remains Finance Director and Tony Marsh and Peter Sayles become Sales and Marketing Director and Operations Director respectively.

Craig commented: “We have a strong team at head office and I am very proud of our achievements so far.  The introduction of new directors and increase in shareholding ensures we have a long term sustainable future and enables us to develop the business further in the coming years. We are all very excited about the opportunities the new appointments will bring”


Myhome
The board of Myhome, a leading provider of franchised service operations, has announced the appointment of Neal Gossage, FCA, as Finance Director. Neal at PriceWaterhouseCoopers and has worked at a number of listed and privately owned companies, as finance director, most recently at AIM-listed Education Development International plc.
Russell O’Connell, Executive Chairman, stated: “Neal’s experience of growth companies and his track record as finance director at both AIM and fully listed companies, will significantly strengthen the company’s board.”   

Rainbow International

Rainbow International has appointed Nigel Hewitt as Technical Manager for its UK network.
Nigel’s role will be to ensure Rainbow International continues to take advantage of the latest technological advances in disaster restoration.
He joins from Dri-Eaz, one of the world’s leading suppliers of drying equipment, where he was Training Manager for the UK and Europe, responsible for delivering the latest damage restoration techniques.
Phil Else, Managing Director of Rainbow International, said: “Nigel has extensive experience in the damage restoration industry and he will play a key role in ensuring our UK network of franchisees has the most modern and effective resources available to them.”

Homezone
Defence Home Security Ltd announces the appointment of Chris Gibson as General Manager to oversee the rapidly growing home security franchise, Homezone. The appointment comes at a crucial time for the Homezone franchise and the parent company, Defence Security Systems Ltd, which are growing rapidly due to an increase in turnover again in 2008 to over £6 million. Chris joins the company with ten years’ experience in executive franchise management after heading up a number of established and successful franchise companies in the UK and abroad.  Chris commented: “After being approached by Homezone, the decision to join the management team was simple. The franchise model is certainly the most exciting I have seen in global franchising.”

Natwest & RBS
NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland have announced the appointment of Graeme Jones as Head of Franchising for the Bank's Business and Commercial operations.  The appointment takes place with immediate effect.
Graeme has worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland Group for 27 years and was previously Deputy Regional Managing Director. In his new role, Graeme will be responsible for driving new business, growing the franchise team and penetrating new franchise markets. Graeme stated: "NatWest and RBS are proud to be the leading banks for franchising with the largest team of dedicated franchise managers across the country.  The industry has grown by a staggering 44 per cent in the past ten years, which is a phenomenal rate of growth. I am therefore delighted to be heading up NatWest and RBS's franchise team at a time when the industry is experiencing such prolific expansion and presenting us with new and exciting opportunities.