From football to franchising…

March 6, 2015 - PRLog -- A film crew from MUTV, the official TV channel for Manchester United, descended on Belvoir’s Macclesfield and Crewe offices recently to talk to franchise owner Richard Irving about life after his career as a premier league footballer.

“MUTV approached me, as they were doing a series of documentaries about ex-players who have made interesting career choices after leaving the club,” explains Richard, who played for Manchester United alongside the likes of Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Phil Neville and others between 1993 and 1995.

Richard joined Belvoir in June 2012 and just six months later completed on a successful acquisition that effectively quadrupled his turnover and won him the prestigious title of New Franchise of the Year at the Belvoir Awards 2013.

“The film crew visited my Belvoir office several times and it was a fascinating experience,” Richard says. “Hopefully the film will also be good for business when it airs in early March, as it will show lots of images of the Belvoir brand.

“I was very excited that they took me back up in a plane, as before I joined Belvoir I trained and worked as a commercial pilot, and it was nice to be able to get back in the air again!

“Although my career as a footballer and a commercial pilot were happy days for me, I am now really enjoying my career with Belvoir. I think that being part of a franchise was attractive to me because when you are in a football club you are part of a team and receive a lot of structure and support. I’ve found that same level of structure and support from being part of a Belvoir franchise, and would recommend anyone who is retiring from football to consider joining a franchise!”

Dorian Gonsalves, Belvoir’s Director of Commercial and Franchising, says: “Belvoir franchise owners come from all walks of life and are of all ages. We only recruit high quality individuals with a real drive and determination to succeed and Richard is a fantastic example of this. We are delighted that Richard is enjoying his time as a Belvoir franchise owner and we are looking forward to seeing the programme when it airs.

“Many Belvoir franchise owners have a military background and we have found that they too enjoy the support and guidance that Belvoir can provide them with, as this is something that was a constant in their military career. There are many opportunities within the Belvoir network at present and I would encourage anyone who is interested in a new career to contact our recruitment team for an informal chat to find out more.”

ENDS

For further information on the Belvoir opportunity please visit: www.belvoirfranchise.com

• Belvoir now have more than 160 offices nationwide. To find your nearest Belvoir office, visit their website at www.belvoir.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

·       Belvoir was founded in February 1995 by Mike and Stephanie Goddard. Its Central Office is in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

·       Mike was chairman of the bfa for three consecutive years and is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Belvoir. Dorian Gonsalves is Director of Commercial and Franchising. Dorian sits on the Board of The Property Ombudsman.

·       Belvoir is recognised as one of the largest specialist lettings agency franchises in the UK, with 160 offices nationwide and aims to have 200 franchises in the next three years.

·       Belvoir was officially awarded the Best Lettings Agency Franchise – Gold Award at the 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2010 Lettings Agency of the Year Awards in association with The Sunday Times & The Times. Belvoir also won the Silver Award in 2011.

·       Belvoir was voted Best Large Lettings Chain at the Estate & Letting Agent Awards (ESTAs) 2013, which was hosted by Phil Spencer, and won Silver in 2014. Belvoir has won Brand Builder of the Year at the bfa Franchisor of the Year Awards 2011 and Best Marketing Campaign of the Year at the Franchise Marketing Association (FMA) Awards 2011.

·       Belvoir is a founder member of the SAFEagent Kitemark scheme, which is fully supported by NALS. SAFEagent promotes client money protection (CMP) and provides consumers with a clear message on those agents they should do business with.

·       Belvoir successfully listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange on 21^st February, 2012.

·       Belvoir won the Gold Award for Franchisor of the Year, at the Negotiator Awards 2014.

For further information please contact Andrea McHugh, Headlines Journalism, tel: 01476 567438/07940 930 331

email: andrea@headlinesjournalism.co.uk