Visiting Angels franchise partners take flight with GBFA win

09-October-2025

Husband-and-wife franchise partners Andrew and Helen Lofts are proving that compassion and business can go hand in hand. Their commitment to raising standards in home care at Visiting Angels Burton & Derby has earned them a coveted 2025 Great British Franchisee Award (GBFA) – national recognition of their dedication to clients, carers and the wider community.

Since launching the franchise in 2020, Andrew and Helen have worked tirelessly to build a care service that truly puts people first. Their philosophy is simple: when clients feel supported and carers feel valued, everyone benefits. This approach has fuelled impressive growth in just a few short years.

“When we set out, our goal was to create something families could truly rely on – care that feels personal and carers who feel proud of their work,” said Andrew. “This award is a huge honour but more than that, it shows that the values we built the business on really do make a difference.”

A key part of their success has been Visiting Angels’ carer-centric ethos. Andrew and Helen have invested heavily in training, wellbeing and professional development. From creating specialist ‘champion’ roles that allow carers to share expertise across the team, to partnering with Staffordshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit on cyber-security training, their initiatives have strengthened staff confidence and ensured client safety.

“Caring is such a demanding role. We believe the best way to deliver excellent care is to invest in the people who provide it,” explained Helen. “By supporting our carers – with training, wellbeing and simply knowing we’ve got their back – we give them the space and confidence to do their best work.”

This supportive culture has nurtured a motivated, loyal workforce and delivered consistently high standards of care. Judges praised the Lofts’ “exceptional franchise leadership”, highlighting their profitable growth, strong employee engagement and impressive staff retention in a sector often challenged by staff turnover.

Their impact, however, goes well beyond their own franchise. Andrew and Helen actively support local initiatives such as the CarersPlus Café – a lifeline for unpaid carers – and use platforms like BBC Radio Derby to raise awareness during campaigns including Dementia Action Week. Their outstanding client feedback has already earned them a Top 20 Home Care Provider award for Burton and Derby, underlining the difference they are making in the community.

“For us, it has never just been about running a business,” Helen added. “It’s about giving families peace of mind and making sure carers know how valued they are. That’s what drives us, and that’s why this award means so much – it’s recognition of the real difference our team is making every day.”

Dan Archer, UK CEO of Visiting Angels, said: “What I admire most about Andrew and Helen is the heart they’ve put into building their service. They’ve created a place where carers feel respected and clients feel genuinely cared for, and that’s why their franchise has flourished. This award is a well-deserved celebration of everything they’ve achieved.”