whichfranchise logo

Supported by

Ask the UK franchise experts – free franchise advice

If you have a question regarding buying a franchise, selling a franchise or setting up a franchise, we have a panel of experts on hand who would be happy to give you some FREE initial advice. Any questions you send via our expert section will be treated in the strictest of confidence and only passed to the expert(s) you have selected. The expert will contact you directly with their answer; your question and response will not be made public. Please select from the drop down menu the nature of your enquiry:

Russell Ford

Russell Ford - IBB Owen White

IBB Owen White is one of the leading franchise specialists in the UK with over 40 years’ experience of advising franchisors and franchisees.

Russell handles franchise disputes and has acted for numerous franchisees on misrepresentation issues, claims for damages for breach of contract and negligent advice by franchisors. Russell Ford is recognised as a Band 1 Lawyer in the Chambers & Partners Guide 2020.

Andrew Fraser

Andrew Fraser - Albany Fraser

Andy Fraser is the founder of Albany Fraser Solicitors, a boutique commercial law firm with franchising at its heart. He set up Albany Fraser in 2019 with a view to helping franchisors and franchisees of all shapes and sizes make smarter franchising decisions. Andy is accredited by the British Franchise Association as a 'Qualified Franchise Professional' and is one of only a small number of lawyers in the UK to have been awarded this status. In addition to being a solicitor, Andy originally trained as a franchise consultant with one of the UK’s leading franchise consultancy practices where he worked on franchising projects for brands such as Ralph Lauren, American Eagle Outfitters, Esprit and Whittard of Chelsea.

Jane Masih

Jane Masih - IBB Owen White

Jane is Head of Franchising at IBB Owen White. IBB Owen White is one of the leading franchise specialists in the UK with over 40 years’ experience of advising franchisors and franchisees. Owen White’s franchising team is highly rated in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners Guide 2020 for Franchising.

Jane advises on all aspects of franchising for both new and established franchisors and franchisees on franchise agreements. Jane is recognised as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 and a Band 1 Lawyer in the Chambers & Partners Guide 2020 for Franchising.

David Kaye

David Kaye - Spencer West

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.

Johnny Sellyn

Johnny Sellyn - whichfranchise

Johnny Sellyn has been actively involved in franchising for over 20 years and is the Managing Director of whichfranchise UK and Franchise Resales US.

Johnny is recognised as one of the leading experts in franchising internationally. He speaks regularly about best practices in ethical franchising at franchise seminars and events.

Johnny has a specific interest in franchise resales and has worked for over 20 years working with franchisees in their exit planning.

Johnny Sellyn

Johnny Sellyn - whichfranchise

Johnny Sellyn has been actively involved in franchising for over 20 years and is the Managing Director of whichfranchise UK and Franchise Resales US.

Johnny is recognised as one of the leading experts in franchising internationally. He speaks regularly about best practices in ethical franchising at franchise seminars and events.

Johnny has a specific interest in franchise resales and has worked for over 20 years working with franchisees in their exit planning.

Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts - Chantry Group

Chris Roberts was appointed Chairman of the Chantry Group following the successful sale of Franchise Finance Limited to Hitachi Capital. Chris specialises in valuing franchisee, franchisor and bfa affiliate businesses and helping them to prepare for sale. He has many years’ experience of business planning, raising finance and business training having developed and delivered many business courses and workshops for a variety of organisations. Chris is a regular speaker at conferences and exhibitions etc.

Johnny Sellyn

Johnny Sellyn - whichfranchise

Johnny Sellyn has been actively involved in franchising for over 20 years and is the Managing Director of whichfranchise UK and Franchise Resales US.

Johnny is recognised as one of the leading experts in franchising internationally. He speaks regularly about best practices in ethical franchising at franchise seminars and events.

Johnny has a specific interest in franchise resales and has worked for over 20 years working with franchisees in their exit planning.

Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts - Chantry Group

Chris Roberts was appointed Chairman of the Chantry Group following the successful sale of Franchise Finance Limited to Hitachi Capital. Chris specialises in valuing franchisee, franchisor and bfa affiliate businesses and helping them to prepare for sale. He has many years’ experience of business planning, raising finance and business training having developed and delivered many business courses and workshops for a variety of organisations. Chris is a regular speaker at conferences and exhibitions etc.

Adrian Knight

Adrian Knight - Knight Franchises

Adrian Knight comes from a corporate recruitment background where he previously lead the talent acquisition for a global technology across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Combining franchising with his love of helping others advance their careers, Adrian now helps corporate professionals transition out of corporate life into franchise business ownership.

Penny Hopkinson

Penny Hopkinson - Manual Writers International

Penny Hopkinson, Manual Writers has over 35 years' experience of writing manuals. We are a small Team of specialists in Franchising and Licensing who provide a bespoke service to clients who need to document their Know How and Business System. We advise and coach on how best to develop and publish an Operations Manual to impose and replicate uniformity and conformity across a developing franchise, licence or branch Network. Whatever their stage of development, we ensure that every Operations Manual is tailored to our client’s short and longer term requirements. Companion of the British Franchise Association.

Marc Talbot

Marc Talbot - HSBC

Marc Talbot is a Franchise Director for HSBC UK. Marc works closely with Franchisors, Franchisees and industry specialists, providing support to help them grow their businesses. Marc also works with brands that are considering Franchise as an alternative method of expanding their business both in the UK and Internationally. He has worked at HSBC for over 15 years in a variety of roles within the Commercial Bank from Relationship Management to Regional Leadership roles in Global Trade & Receivables Finance. The last 4 years has been spent working in Franchise; firstly on HSBC’s Global Proposition and then more recently as part of the UK team working with some of the largest brands in the industry.

Suki Dehal QFP

Suki Dehal QFP - Lloyds Bank

Suki Dehal is Head of Franchising for Lloyds Bank. He has 11 years banking experience, including 6 in franchising. Suki is responsible for providing support to the Lloyds Bank Business Managers, assisting them in assessing proposals from prospective franchisees and ensuring that they have up to date information on the franchise systems operating within the UK. He works closely with franchisors to understand ongoing performance, training and support offered and any other developments that may affect the network.

Phil Mowat

Phil Mowat - Ashtons Franchise

Phil Mowat joined AFC in 2019 as a consultant and brings many years of experience in franchising to this new role. He has held a number of positions within the franchising sector, including director of Beauty Call franchise (a position he continues to hold), Head of UK Operations for Local Appliance Rentals and UK Country Director for Expense Reduction Analysts. Phil is a qualified business coach and held the position of National Strategic Partnership Manager for ActionCOACH UK.

Brian Duckett

Brian Duckett - The Franchising Centre

Testing Brian is a recognised leader in the franchise industry, both in the UK and around the world. He writes regularly for the UK franchising and business media and has presented at many seminars and workshops. Internationally, he writes regular features for franchising magazines in the USA, Europe, Australia and India and has spoken at franchise conferences on five continents. His writings include the widely respected book “How to Turn Your Business into The Next Global Brand – Creating and Managing a Franchised Network”.

Alan Wilkinson

Alan Wilkinson - The Franchising Centre

Alan is a recognised expert in the UK franchise industry. He writes regularly for the UK franchising and business media, and presents at many seminars, webinars and workshops. Alan, and the team at TFC, have always prided themselves on being practitioners rather than theorists, and are dedicated to helping clients achieve their business objectives. Click here to ask Alan a question

Penny Hopkinson

Penny Hopkinson - Manual Writers International

Penny Hopkinson, Manual Writers has over 35 years' experience of writing manuals. We are a small Team of specialists in Franchising and Licensing who provide a bespoke service to clients who need to document their Know How and Business System. We advise and coach on how best to develop and publish an Operations Manual to impose and replicate uniformity and conformity across a developing franchise, licence or branch Network. Whatever their stage of development, we ensure that every Operations Manual is tailored to our client’s short and longer term requirements. Companion of the British Franchise Association.

Read previously asked franchise questions and answers




Our Newsletter

Receive FREE updates on the latest franchise opportunities, news and advice
Top