Belvoir News Article

08/10/2007 - Peterborough entrepeneur scoops gold in the UK`s top franchisee awards

An entrepreneur from Peterborough, who gave up a full time career as a managing director of a vegetable growing business to launch a franchise specialising in property lettings, has been crowned Gold Winner in the 2007 British Franchise Association Franchisee of the Year Awards, sponsored by HSBC Bank and Express Newspapers.

Beating off stiff competition, Terry Lucking was presented with the Gold Winner’s trophy and an HSBC cheque for £5,000 at a glittering gala dinner held last night at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre.
Speaking immediately after the Awards, Terry said: “This is one of the proudest moments of my life and terrific recognition for my team who have worked so hard to achieve this success.”

The prestigious bfa Franchisee of the Year Awards were launched in April as a celebration of the best-performing franchisees in a booming industry, now employing over 370,000 people and worth an annual £10 billion to the UK economy.

Terry has run the Peterborough franchise of Belvoir, the property lettings and management specialists, for eight years and has built it into one of the most successful businesses in the extensive network.

For Belvoir, customer focus requires double vision as the business needs to consider the needs of tenants and landlords equally. And Terry, in tandem with his franchisor, has developed a series of initiatives providing his customers with greater value for money and to help keep Terry ahead of his competitors.

These include using feedback forms, encouraging customers to grade the level of service received, and all suggestions and criticisms are addressed personally. Former prospective customers are contacted for their opinions and ‘mystery shopper’ reports are carried out on Belvoir agents and their competitors.

Cathryn Hayes, Head of Franchising for HSBC Bank, said: “Judging these Awards is always a difficult task but we felt that Terry showed determination and commitment to building a successful business.


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