Supported by 
Franchisee Michelle and Peter Lewis of TruGreen
Both Michelle and Peter Lewis come from an IT management background. Neither thought they would find themselves doing the job that they are now. Though both were keen gardeners, neither were lawn specialists. Both used to work for Lloyds Bank, with Peter running credit card systems and Michelle working in the insurance end. This had them based in Cheshire, London and Scotland predominantly.
Franchisee Gina Glendinning of Merry Maids
Before starting her Merry Maids business in 2018, Gina was a self-described ‘career banker’, working in many different roles for HSBC – over the span of 32 years. One day, Gina says she reached a point where she realised that she needed to get her work-life balance in check, so she started to look around at options for owning her own business.
Franchisee Tom Jackson of Merry Maids
Tom Jackson is the proud owner of FOUR territories within south Birmingham, Dudley, Wolverhampton and Solihull. Having joined the network 18 years ago, Tom has seen how the industry has changed over the years and has been able to keep up with the times through the research and development undertaken by the brand.
of UK Business Mentoring
Having worked in financial services for 30 years, Graham Ballantyne had run businesses for other people and always knew one day he would do it himelf. “I wanted to do something with purpose where I could genuinely make a difference along with something I’d enjoy. I have always loved to help people and really enjoy the cut and thrust of business so Mentoring made sense. I undertook a lot of research into various mentoring franchises as I wanted the support to make the leap – UKBM were by far and away the best I looked at, they shared my values which was key and also convinced me the support would be there which was important.”
of Mary Brown's Chicken
Millennial Tom Chen is one of a growing army of young multi-unit franchise owners. Here he talks about Mary Brown’s, the brand at the heart of his success
Franchisee Paul Clarke of UK Business Mentoring
Paul Clarke was delighted to find a business that allowed him to utilise the skills he had gained during a 30 year career in finance. Paul opened his UK Business Mentoring franchise in Manchester in 2017. “I always had a desire to run my own business but wanted a framework and support mechanism to ensure success. Mentoring business owners is a priviledge and allows me to utilise all the skills and technical knowledge I have gained whilst supporting owners to achieve their full potential. UKBM were clearly the best I looked at and I did look at many.”
Franchisee Judy and Will Clay of Home Instead
Judy and Will Clay are active members of the Home Instead network and a very integral part of their local community in Kendal, Cumbria. Realising she wanted to step away from the corporate world, Judy began working as a house manager at a retirement development for older people, where she learnt about Home Instead and the exceptional care they provide. “As we shared the ethos of the company, this sparked our interest, we realised that we wanted to become Home Instead franchise owners. As husband and wife team with strengths in both business management and care, we work well together and feel this makes a perfect combination to run a home care franchise.”
Franchisee Raj Hasib of Anytime Fitness
Raj Hasib is the perfect example of the success that can be achieved by diversifying a franchise portfolio into health and fitness. Having initially owned hospitality franchises and becoming disillusioned with ever-decreasing profit margins, he now successfully operates two Anytime Fitness health clubs and is making both a healthy living and a healthy difference in Headington and Daventry.
Franchisee Connor Thorne of Anytime Fitness
Alongside his father Steve, Connor Thorne is a young, ambitious entrepreneur who is breaking new ground for Anytime Fitness UK. Having taken the brand to two new territories of Jersey and Guernsey in 2021, he now successfully operates 4 high-performing clubs and is enjoying significant success as a multi-site operator. “We knew that there’d be scalability with Anytime Fitness. Once you get the first one right with the right formula, there’s no reason why you can’t improve it and roll it into the next one and so on.”
of Driving Miss Daisy
From corporate hospitality to business owner, Davina is celebrating her 5th successful year running a Driving Miss Daisy Franchise in Kingswinford, nr Dudley. A REAL PEOPLE PERSON and keen snooker player, Davina describes herself as gregarious and enjoys a good chat! This has helped her win the hearts of the residents in her local community resulting in an excellent reputation and the go to provider for transportation and companionship services.
VAT No:238213031. Company Registration No:03896150 Copyright © whichfranchise.com 2025.
Registered Office
272 London Road
Wallington
Surrey, UK
SM6 7DJ