The award is presented to franchisees who have achieved substantial growth for their business in 2011.
Group founder and chairman Freddie Mitman presented Robert and James with their trophy at a gala awards night at the Crown Plaza Hotel in the historic Belgian city of Bruges.
Freddie Mitman said: “These awards all recognise special achievements in the franchise network. This year we recognised franchisees who had ‘Grown Against The Tide’ in 2011.
“The winners, like James and Robert, all come from very different parts of the country proving that sustained growth does not favour certain areas or regions, it can happen anywhere that the franchisee ‘makes it happen’”.
James and Robert only launched their Cardiff franchise in April 2010. Between them they provide a wide range of plumbing and drainage repairs, including high-pressure jetting, ‘no-dig’ drain re-linings and closed circuit camera surveys.
The team more than achieved its target turnover during 2010 in spite of the recession. They continued to grow well in 2011, delivering a substantial increase in turnover, and now have plans for further growth in 2012.
James, who ran his own taxi firm for four years before taking on the Cardiff franchise, said that there are still opportunities for growth in spite of the recession.
“Joining Drain Doctor Plumbing was most definitely the best thing I have done,” James said. “We investigated other franchise options when we decided to launch a new business and were impressed by Drain Doctor Plumbing’s professionalism.
“Robert and I opted to join Drain Doctor because the company has a real focus on customer service. We can be independent operators running our own business but with all the back-up that comes with being part of a national organisation.”
Freddie Mitman said: “James, Robert and their great team have fully absorbed the Drain Doctor ethos of delivering exceptional standards of customer service.”
Launched in the United Kingdom in 1993, Drain Doctor Plumbing quickly grew to become the country's largest emergency plumbing and drain repair service. It now provides a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year service covering the UK and the Republic of Ireland, with each franchise run as an independent business.
