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Post your questions here to our panel of experts in the franchise industry:

Cathryn Hayes - HSBC Cathryn Hayes, Head of Franchising for HSBC since 1994, has a high profile within the franchise industry, acting as a judge on the prestigious British Franchise Association (BFA) awards which the bank sponsor. She contributes regular articles to the franchise trade press and has delivered numerous franchise seminars.
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Richard Holden - Lloyds TSB Richard Holden is Head of Franchising for Lloyds TSB. He has 23 years banking experience and has supported a wide range of businesses in the small business sector for many years. He is responsible for providing support to the Lloyds TSB Business Managers, assisting them in assessing proposals from prospective franchisees. He is also responsible for ensuring that the network of local business managers has up to date information on the franchise systems operating within the United Kingdom.
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David Bigmore - David Bigmore & Co
David Bigmore is the founder of David Bigmore & Co, Solicitors, based in the North West and the City of London. The firm is recognised as one of the leading legal firms in the UK specialising in Franchise Law, both in the UK and internationally. David qualified in 1972 and has been a Franchise lawyer since 1986.
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Stephen Thompson - Darwin Gray
Steve has been a partner in Cardiff law firm Darwin Gray since 2004. He became a specialist in franchise litigation whilst working with national practice Pinsent Curtis. Steve provides new franchisors with a full legal service including the preparation of all documents, and offers prospective franchisees a fixed price service for advising on draft franchise agreements.
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David Kaye - Bell & Scott incorporating Clairmonts
David has extensive experience in advising franchisees and franchisors over many years. He is very involved in the retail sector advising several national retailers on their franchising requirements as well as the property aspects involved. David is a regular speaker at seminars for prospective franchisees and franchisors.
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Angus MacLeod - Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP
Angus is a partner in WJM, one of Scotland’s leading law firms, and head of the multi-disciplinary franchising team. He has helped numerous franchisors and franchisees establish, operate and sell businesses profitably – in Scotland and beyond. Angus regularly speaks and writes on franchising-related topics, and enjoys helping people turn good ideas into successful businesses.
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John Pratt - Hamilton Pratt
Senior partner of the largest specialist franchise firm in Europe. John is the author of the leading legal text book on franchising and numerous other publications. He is vice chair of the International Bar Association’s franchise committee and listed in “The World’s Leading Franchise Lawyers”. John has been specialising in franchising for the last 25 years and is known for his clear unlegalistic “no nonsense” approach to legal advice.
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Mark Abell - Field Fisher WaterHouse
Head of the Franchise & Licensing Group at Field Fisher Waterhouse Solicitors, London. Mark is rated as a leader in franchising by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners directories and "The World's Leading Franchise Lawyers". Mark acts as an expert on franchising for the World Intellectual Property Organisation and is also the author of several leading books on franchising.
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Manzoor GK Ishani - Sherrards
Manzoor has many years experience in the U.K and international licensing, franchising and distribution law. He has lectured on the subject for various organisations and institutions in many countries, assisting franchisors in 25 countries to franchise their business. Manzoor is also currently the Franchise Development Director of Stagecoach Theatre Arts.
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Brian Duckett - Howarth Franchising
Brian has spent the last thirty years as either a franchisee, franchisor or consultant to companies considering or practising franchising. He has advised many organisations on their franchise development and was the creator of The Franchise Training Centre, The Third Wednesday Club and The Franchise Support Centre. Brian writes regular features for franchising magazines in the UK, USA, Australia, India and Africa, and has been a guest speaker at franchise conferences on five continents.
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Julie Waites - The Franchise Company
Julie has been involved in franchising since 1981, initially with the Prontaprint Group and then as Franchise Director with Phone-in UK. Since forming The Franchise Company she has worked on many successful franchising projects for clients in a broad range of sectors. Julie has also worked on a major research study into the UK franchise industry for the DTI. In The Franchise Company Julie is responsible for overall consultancy assignment planning and delivery, with her own portfolio of clients.
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Euan Fraser - AMO Consulting
Over the years Euan has developed a particular expertise in franchising and has acted for over 50 franchisors involved in a variety of business sectors. Euan's clients have ranged from listed companies such as Debenhams, Thorntons and Letsbuyit.com through to small family owned businesses. Accredited by the British Franchise Association (BFA), to give consultancy advice, Euan is an active member of the Association and regularly speaks at seminars throughout the UK.
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