Harpenden businessman wins national franchisee award

THE CREDIT crunch means nothing to entrepreneur Mark Fordham who has just won nationwide recognition of his business skills. When Mark was made redundant six years ago he seized the opportunity to set up his own franchise business. Now the father of two

THE CREDIT crunch means nothing to entrepreneur Mark Fordham who has just won nationwide recognition of his business skills.

When Mark was made redundant six years ago he seized the opportunity to set up his own franchise business.

Now the father of two from Cravells Road, Harpenden has just been named Bronze Winner of the 2009 British Franchise Association's HSBC Franchisee of the Year Awards. He also won a cheque for �2,000.

He bought a stake in TaxAssist Accountants with his redundancy money and spent the first six months networking and making himself known in the district.

Mark, 46, said: "I now employ nine people and have a shop front in Southdown which makes it easy for people to just drop in.

"I think the reason I've been successful is because I am proactive and give people what they want. I am flexible timewise so will meet people early or late depending on their needs."

In a time of economic downturn Mark's turnover is up 35 per cent on last year and his client base is up 30 per cent on last year.

Mark was one of ten franchisees who impressed the judging panel chaired by Maggie Thatcher's former press secretary Sir Bernard Ingham with his presentation and interview.

The winners were announced at a black-tie dinner at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham on Thursday (1/10).