Water Babies makes waves in franchise world

An Exeter businesses has won two top accolades at the 2023 BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards.

The event, often referred to as the ‘Oscars of franchising', was held at the Vox Conference Centre in Birmingham.

Babies' swimming lesson provider, Water Babies, based in Exeter, walked off with two top awards on the night, ‘Trailblazer Franchisor of the Year’ and ‘Brand Awareness Franchisor of the Year’.

Brandon Akerman, owner of a ChipsAway car body paintwork repair franchise that works across Exeter, Torbay, Torquay and Paignton won ‘Next Generation – Franchisee of the Year’.

Founded in 1977 and with a strapline of ‘Discover Your Tomorrow’ the BFA (British Franchise Association), is the hub of franchising in the UK.

The association strives to brighten people’s futures by showcasing the opportunities for businesses and individuals to transform their lives through franchising, whilst also providing an educational space and accreditations, governed by their high standards and a code of ethics.

Water Babies was founded by Paul Thompson in 2002. The franchise, which now has 80 franchisees, is the world’s largest baby swim school teaching 47,000 babies to swim every week across the UK, Ireland, Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, China and the US.

Commenting on their company’s ‘Trailblazer Franchisor of the Year’ and ‘Brand Awareness Franchisor of the Year’ wins, CEO Howard Harrison QFP, said: “Water Babies is so proud to have won two awards at the 2023 BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards. We’ve made strategic decisions to help drive change with positive outcomes for Water Babies and to support our sector, as the market leader in baby and toddler swimming.

From becoming a certified B Corporation to launching Children’s Alliance, the charitable foundation of Water Babies, we’ve committed to our sustainability agenda and to ensure our purpose activity continues to grow, as we believe better starts in life create better futures.” 

After leaving university and selling car parts online, Brandon Akerman, winner of the ‘Next Generation – Franchisee of the Year’ award bought his ChipsAway franchise in 2020 and now provides car body repairs to his domestic and commercial clients in Exeter, Torbay, Torquay and Paignton.

Brandon said: “I am absolutely thrilled and hugely honoured to receive this prestigious award. It really does make all the hard work, dedication, and effort of the past few years worthwhile and motivates me to strive for even further growth and the development of my Chips Away business.

He went on to thank his parents: “This award serves as a reminder that dreams are attainable, and I’d like to thank head office, my employees and my Mum and Dad, who have always been my greatest supporters.”

Plymouth-based home help company Extra Help took home the ‘Lifestyle Franchisor of the Year’.

Pip Wilkins, Chief Executive of the BFA said: “Our huge congratulations to Water Babies, Extra Help and Brandon from ChipsAway on these tremendous wins. We had some fantastic entries this year but theirs really stood out from the crowd. We would like to thank them for being such great ambassadors for the BFA and for representing the very best in UK franchising.”

UK Head of Franchise, Commercial Banking at sponsors HSBC Bank Gillian Morris said: “The diversity of franchising on display at tonight’s awards ceremony – across so many brands and sectors – demonstrates the strength and reach of the industry.  Choosing a winner is never easy and I’d like to join Pip in thanking everyone who entered and send our warm congratulations to Water Babies, Extra Help and Brandon from ChipsAway on these very well-deserved awards.”