Summer news 2007

Landscape gardens come into full bloom

Scenic Blue, the UK’s only landscape gardening franchise, has been acquired by Marshalls – the leading landscape transformation company. The purchase underpins the company’s commitment to delivering a total garden design and project management solution to its customers. It also signals a positive move for current and prospective Scenic Blue franchisees, who are poised to significantly benefit.

A myriad of new business opportunities await Scenic Blue franchisees who will be able to capitalise on Marshalls’ substantial investment in marketing. Opportunities include the annual dispatch of over 1 million brochures, a highly sophisticated website and sustained annual consumer media campaign and a visible presence within the growing number of Marshalls’ Drive & Garden Transformation Centres around the country.

In addition, Marshalls is to sponsor the highly prestigious Chelsea Flower Show for the next three years, firmly defining Marshalls and Scenic Blue’s industry leadership of the garden design and installation sector.  

Tool company gains top award

Snap-on Tools has won the coveted title of Franchisor of the Year 2007 at the prestigious British Franchise Association Awards in London.

Snap-on Tools beat eight other top-flight finalists to win the gold title at the bfa’s gala luncheon at the Savoy Hotel in May. The Awards, sponsored by the Daily Express and HSBC Bank, honour the franchise sector’s annual £10 billion contribution to the UK economy.

In accepting the Franchisor of the Year Award, Snap-on Tools Managing Director Terry Barcham said: “We’ve been a franchisor in the UK for 42 years now and we’ve seen a continuous improvement each year in all parts of our company.”

The company has rapidly expanded its products and services to keep pace with demand from the vehicle maintenance and repair sector for premier-quality tools and sophisticated diagnostic equipment as vehicles become increasingly complex.

Keeping the Faith in banking

Thousands of Muslim businesses across Britain will be able to bank according to their faith as Lloyds TSB launches the first high street Islamic business account in the country. The account, which complies with Islamic law (Shariah), is available across the bank’s 2,000 branches, and will be open to the UK’s estimated 100,000 Muslim firms.

The new Islamic Business and Corporate account is the latest addition to a range of Islamic banking services for Muslims offered by Lloyds TSB.

Islamic law states that businesses, as well as individuals, should not pay or receive interest. The rules also say that individuals and businesses can only invest in certain companies, prohibiting dealings in industries such as gambling or alcohol. In order to ensure that the account is fully compliant with Islamic law, Lloyds TSB has consulted with its board of renowned Islamic scholars.

Recruiter shines in Sunday Times Top 100

Specialist staffing company, Select Appointments, has been announced as one of the UK’s Top 100 Best Companies to Work for in the prestigious Sunday Times awards.

The awards are part of the biggest survey of employee opinion with just under 150,000 employees across more than 650 companies contributing to this year’s findings. Select Appointments was one of a few recruitment organisations to make it into the list.

Select operates from over 80 offices nationwide and prides itself on being a people focused organisation.  On receiving the award, Chief Executive Officer, Diane Martyn, commented “People truly are at the heart of our business as Select is about people, for people and by people.”

Client sign up reaches record high

TaxAssist Accountants, who offer a range of services specifically matched to the needs of small businesses throughout the UK, has just signed its 20,000th client.

Sarah Robertson, Business Development Director says: “Reaching the 20,000 client mark shows that clients are happy with the T TaxAssist Accountants offering.  This comes on the back of successful marketing campaigns and professional training and support given to our network. We have also just hit the 30% referral rate which means our customers are happily telling others about us. We look forward to working with our franchisees for continued growth and success within their practices.”

With services ranging from the completion of end of year accounts and annual tax returns to payroll, VAT and bookkeeping, the company also offers services designed to help small business owners maximise their financial position including debt recovery, independent financial advice and personnel (HR) services.