20 of the UK’s best franchisees have been announced as finalists for the British Franchise Association HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards 2016. The awards, which recognise “the highest standards, performance and business excellence of entrepreneurs across the [UK]” include Tutor Doctor’s very own Alex Scotchbrook.

Alex, who was also shortlisted for the same award in 2013, is the owner-operator of Tutor Doctor Surrey. As Tutor Doctor’s very first UK franchise, Alex has gone on to be one of the most successful franchisees in the network. In her first two years alone, she helped well over 500 students and grew her business very quickly. She now owns four territories – Guildford, Camberley, Woking and Farnham – engaging over 250 tutors and helping more than 1,000 children achieve their results. Hers is one of the top two largest Tutor Doctor franchises in the world.

With Tutor Doctor, Alex explains, “my future is down to me, the guaranteed security has gone but it has been replaced by something more wonderful and fulfilling: a genuine opportunity to do something that will positively influence a child’s life, and the feeling of equal business stature with clients, fellow-franchisees and head office alike.”

Her enthusiasm and passion for the work is one of the reasons she has achieved this industry recognition.

Pip Wilkins, CEO of the bfa, said, “with around 45,000 franchise-owned businesses in the UK, we’ve had to make some very tough choices to get down to 20 finalists. Selecting just a handful of exceptional business owners to go through is extremely difficult.

“These are outstanding entrepreneurs that are leading the way in franchising and we’re set for an even more difficult task ahead in choosing the winners.”

The finalists in each category will present to a judging panel of industry experts on 13 and 14 July 2016 with the winners announced on Thursday 29 September at Birmingham Town Hall.

For a full list of the finalists in each category, click here.

Good luck Alex!