Home Instead franchisee named Woman Franchisee of the Year

Catharine Chalton of Home Instead Wirral took home the award at this year's NatWest Encouraging Women into Franchising Awards

Cath Chalton, co-owner of the Home Instead Wirral office has been named ‘Woman Franchisee of the Year’ at the NatWest EWIF (Encouraging Women into Franchising) awards 2020.

The event was held virtually this year, with the team at EWIF doing an exceptional job to ensure that the awards could still go-ahead.

EWIF is a not-for-profit organisation, providing advice and guidance to women looking for a route into the franchise industry. Its mission is to educate, inspire and empower women considering or involved in franchising through a network of ambassadors.

Amy Thomas from McDonald’s presented the award: “Cath embodies the culture of the Home Instead network and is recognised for the high standard of service provided to their clients. She is as passionate about franchising as she is about her business. She is trusted to trial new developments and new initiatives so the whole franchise network benefits.”

Cath opened her hugely successful franchise in 2007 with her husband, Mike. She truly embodies a woman encouraging other women into franchising, having been on the board of the bfa since 2013. She is also highly active in her local community, with her office running its own charitable arm ‘The Wirral Care Foundation’, which supports small, local initiatives.

2019 was a stellar year, alongside her 180-strong team, her office achieved its highest ever turnover and in 2020, it delivered its millionth hour of care!

The Wirral office was also awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating in 2019 by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the regulator of care providers in England, for the care it provides to its elderly clients.

CEO of Home Instead UK, Martin Jones said: “Cath is certainly a deserving winner for EWIF’s Woman Franchisee of the Year. I am very proud of her achievements and outstanding contribution to the Home Instead network, and the broader franchising sector. Congratulations!”