We are delighted to have a trio of inspiring women from our network named as finalists in this year’s EWiF Awards!
Sophie Mellor – Woman Franchisee of the Year
Lesley Ballingall – Woman Franchise Employee of the Year
Louise McLaughlin – Young Woman in Franchising of the Year
Having all three recognised for their amazing contributions is a fantastic achievement! Here we take a further look at their journeys and what led them to become finalists in this year’s awards.
2023 was the year that Sophie, alongside her sister Melissa, celebrated a decade in business together, as franchise owners of Home Instead Lytham, Fylde and Wyre. It was also the year that Sophie acquired her second territory, and now on the path to becoming a Home Instead Enterprise owner, Sophie truly is the epitome of a successful woman in franchising.
Throughout her franchising journey, alongside her growth ambitions, Sophie has also retained a strong focus on the development of her team. The achievements made by members of her team, such as becoming qualified in new areas of care, demonstrates Sophie’s fantastic leadership.
With ambitions for future growth, alongside her commitment to the sector and her team, Sophie clearly demonstrates what it is to be a successful woman in franchising. Leading the way in her own businesses, but also acting as a voice for others in the network, Sophie has set an example and inspired others to achieve more.
Lesley is a superb role model to her colleagues at Home Instead, for women and franchising. In October 2023, she was promoted to Group Managing Director at the Home Instead SUR Group in Scotland providing home care for older people. She has passion, intellect, is supremely professional, inspirational, has a relentless drive for excellence and for anyone who knows her, you just can’t help joining in with her enthusiasm and sense of fun. It is no surprise that she has achieved so much in a relatively short time.
She has been instrumental in the centralisation of what is a large franchise group in Scotland, working with the Home Instead brand – building teams, growing territories and expanding the business.
She consistently seeks innovative solutions to stay ahead in a dynamic industry landscape, driving the company towards sustained success. She is a strong leader of people and has fostered a culture of collaboration, purpose, and belonging within her teams, empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Through clear communication, strategic direction, and unwavering support, Lesley ensures that every team member is engaged and motivated to contribute their best.
Louise began her journey in healthcare, studying Radiography. She then undertook a master’s degree in Magnetic Resonance Imaging and worked for the NHS. Her experience led her to want to support not only in a hospital setting but to ensure people received person-centred care in the comfort of their own home.
Louise hit the ground running in the franchise home care environment having opened her first office for Home Instead in Belfast in 2022 when she was 28 alongside her husband, Roger; one of Home Instead’s first offices in Northern Ireland.
Her passions of personal and people development and advocating for homecare as a career and to support communities shines through in everything that she does.
By ensuring employee satisfaction, focusing on community engagement, and delivering exceptional care to clients, Home Instead Belfast has had a profound impact in Northern Ireland. Louise has created a company where her employees enjoy their work, and the clients recommend her service.
We look forward to celebrating these extraordinary women at the NatWest EWiF Awards ceremony on the 18th of October, 2024, at The Royal Armouries, Leeds.