Couple in the fast lane to business success following franchise investment

A Bradford couple are helping to keep other organisations on the road after investing in a franchise operation.

Husband and wife team Tim and Fiona Hennah, franchise owners of driver employment agency Driver Hire, in Lower Wortley, Leeds, have recorded the highest-ever sales figures for the franchise’s Leeds West division in over 25 years.

They have turned over £1.2m in two years since acquiring the franchise.

Tim Hennah took on the franchise after over 30 years in the leisure sector, with the last 17 spent as a corporate product and events manager for P&O Ferries.

He was joined by his wife Fiona, who left her career in healthcare at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The couple were advised by Leeds-based chartered accountant Simon Gray, who, in addition to assisting them with investing their own money in the venture, helped them access and secure funding, enabling them to acquire the Driver Hire Leeds West franchise from the previous franchisees.

Driver Hire is the UK’s largest specialist supplier of transport and logistics staff.

Tim Hennah said: “It’s been a whirlwind two years since taking over the franchise in the summer of 2021.

“We’re on course for our most successful year to date this year and the strongest ever for the Leeds West franchise.

“Last month we had a record-breaking month in terms of performance.

“Although recruitment is a highly competitive sector, the opportunities are massive, and we feel our team offers a great deal of valuable experience and first-class customer service skills, which have helped us to build up a loyal customer and driver base.

“By the time we hit our fifth year, we hope to have grown the business to £2m turnover and increased from the current team of four to at least six or seven.”

Gray added: “Tim and Fiona have had an incredible impact since taking on the Driver Hire franchise.

“They have brought so much in terms of interpersonal skills, customer service and focus to the initiative and have quickly established a very successful operation.

“Working very closely with the couple at the decision-making stage was key, helping them secure funding from various sources, and presenting accurate cash flow modelling and forecasts, which helped them to move forward with confidence and realise their business dreams.”