Right at Home CEO Ken Deary has accepted the position of Vice Chairman of the British Franchise Association.
Ken’s relationship with franchising started in 1994 when he became a McDonald’s Franchisee winning the ultimate BFA award the Overall BFA Franchisee of the Year in 2000.
Ken then went from Franchisee to Franchisor in 2010 when he became the UK licence holder for the US originated quality care network Right at Home. He now oversees a network of 60+ franchise businesses, which support people to live safely and independently in their own homes.
Franchise businesses in the UK are self-regulated and the British Franchise Association is the leading body that oversees quality standards.
It offers training and support to businesses that are following a franchise model to grow; ranging from corporate giants such as McDonalds, through to SMEs that are just starting the process of replicating their systems for others to follow.
Speaking about his appointment, Ken said: “The British Franchise Association is an organisation that I’ve always been proud to be part of, because they represent and support ethical franchising.
“When we first introduced Right at Home to the UK, we really benefitted from gaining their accreditation and having access to all their guidelines on building an ethical franchise model.
“Over the years since, we’ve met some great contacts and learned a lot of best practice through their training and networking opportunities.
“We encourage all our franchisees to be bfa franchisee members; it offers additional training, networking and development opportunities and a platform for recognition for franchisees and franchisors, through their well-respected annual awards.
“We also ask all potential franchisees to complete the Prospective Franchisee Certificate, to get a rounded understanding of the principles of ethical franchising.
“Right at Home has a reputation for maintaining exemplary standards and ethics; being an active member of the bfa has undoubtedly influenced that.
“It’s also a great network – the franchise sector is a close-knit and mutually supportive community, in which you can always find good advice and learn from others’ experience.”
When Ken was voted on to the bfa Board of Directors in 2015, he saw it as a chance to give something back to the industry he loves, and to help shape its future.
He went on to chair the Quality Standards Committee, which identifies best practice among membership and plays an important role in maintaining self-regulation.
As Vice Chairman he is looking forward to working alongside current Chairman John Spencer, from NIC Group, who he will succeed in 2 years’ time.
To find out more about Ken and the Right at Home franchise opportunity, email kate.dilworth@rightathomeuk.com or call Kate on 0151 3050755 for a friendly chat.
