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The National Franchise Exhibition

Timetable

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Wherever you are on your franchise journey, from learning how the model works to actively researching your investment options, the packed schedule of more than 50 free talks has something to offer everyone.

Timetable

Time
Topic
Speakers
10:30 – 11:15
Main Stage

McDonald’s Insight Session

Deborah Rudge (Franchising Recruitment and Reputation Consultant)
Paul Courtman-Stock (Franchising Recruitment and Reputation Consultant)
Ffion Williams (Franchising Recruitment )
10:30 – 11:00
Theatre 3

BFA Seminar: An introduction to franchising

Hosted by BFA

Steve Jackson (Managing Director)
Suki Dehal (Head of Franchising)
Sophie Peasley (Associate)
10:45 – 11:15
Theatre 2

How to franchise your business successfully and effectively

Phil Mowat (Managing Consultant)
11:00 – 11:30
Theatre 4

Protect your brand. Build your business.

Duncan Colvin (Head of Compliance)
11:15 – 11:45
Theatre 3

Choosing the right franchise: Lessons from an ex-investment banker

John Preston (Managing Director)
11:30 – 12:05
Main Stage

Expansion decisions: Choosing the right brand, location & time

Natalia Shvarts QFP (Franchise Law Partner)
John Blaney (Multi-unit Franchisee)
Wafa Mohbubul (Multi-unit Franchisee)
William Flint (Multi-unit Franchisee)
11:30 – 12:00
Theatre 2

Building a successful business in the essential service sectors

Natalie Ilangakoonge (National Franchise Sales Manager)
11:45 – 12:15
Theatre 4

My journey to building a successful care business

Jack Miller (Managing Director)
12:00 – 12:30
Theatre 3

Franchise Insights Panel: Do you have what it takes to be a franchise entrepreneur?

Anytime Fitness, Urban Baristas, Home Instead

Luke Pilkington-Amps (Business Development Team Lead)
Huw Wardrope (Co-Founder & CEO)
Luke Spellman (Franchise Development Manager)
12:10 – 12:45
Main Stage

Systems, people, strategy: What it takes to run a profitable multi-unit franchise portfolio

Kevin Hein (Partner and Co-Chair of Franchise and Licensing Practice Group)
Mohammad Qasim (Multi-unit Franchisee )
Pepe’s Piri Piri
Ishita Pathak (Multi-unit Franchisee)
Duncan Attwood (Multi-unit Franchisee)
Damian Bennett (Multi-unit Franchisee)
12:15 – 12:45
Theatre 2

The £1m mindset – what successful business owners do differently and how to copy them

Neil Martin (Director of Marketing and Edutainment)
12:30 – 13:00
Theatre 4

How to stand out from the crowd: What a franchisor is looking when assessing candidates

David Paulson (Business Development Director)
12:45 – 13:15
Theatre 3

Start strong: Revenue from day one

Janine Yousef (Presales Manager)
13:00 – 13:30
Main Stage

Keynote: From solo to scale: A founder’s playbook for growth

Anisa Khan (Founder)
Bombay Pizza
13:00 – 13:30
Theatre 2

Profit with purpose: How I built a six-figure Auditel business

Julie Adams (Franchisee Partner)
13:30 – 14:00
Theatre 3

BFA Seminar: How to franchise your business

Hosted by BFA

Alan Wilkinson (Head of Franchise Development)
Luke Spellman (Franchise Development Manager)
John Pratt (Partner)
13:45 – 14:15
Main Stage

The care industry crisis and the only real solution

13:45 – 14:15
Theatre 2

Launching Australia’s biggest Mexican franchise in the UK

14:00 – 14:30
Theatre 4

What it takes to run a successful active leisure franchise

Marcus Crossman (Franchise Account Manager)
14:30 – 15:15
Main Stage

McDonald’s Insight Session

Deborah Rudge (Franchising Recruitment and Reputation Consultant)
Paul Courtman-Stock (Franchising Recruitment and Reputation Consultant)
Ffion Williams (Franchising Recruitment )
14:30 – 15:00
Theatre 2

Real Franchise Stories

Jackson Fire & Security, Anytime Fitness, Right at Home

John Blaney (Multi-unit Franchisee)
Anish Panchmatia (Owner & Managing Director)
Sam Bridgman (Franchisee)
14:45 – 15:15
Theatre 4

Why bother with the law?

John Pratt (Partner)
15:00 – 15:30
Theatre 3

BFA seminar: What to consider when choosing a franchise

Hosted by BFA

David Lixton (Commercial Director)
Colin Martin-Weekes (Head of Franchise)
Natalia Shvarts QFP (Franchise Law Partner)
15:15 – 15:45
Theatre 2

From founder to franchisor – My honest journey

Rebecca Newenham (Franchise Consultant)

Want free tickets to The National Franchise Exhibition?

The National Franchise Exhibition returns to the NEC, Birmingham, on 2 & 3 October 2026. Meet the teams behind industry-leading franchise brands and benefit from a packed schedule of 50+ free talks – offering something for everyone!

Book free tickets