Susan and Lewis Bannister- London House International Franchise
Susan and Lewis Banister – a couple based in Bolton – have brought together their complementary skills to set up a private investigations business in Warrington, changing industry, career and lifestyle to make a better life for their family.
Lewis was made redundant as Susan started a new company
with strong prospects of funding opportunities and growth. As Lewis struggled to find new employment, the funding market changed and Susan’s company began to struggle. By late 2013, they both found themselves struggling to get work and support their family.
Recognising their complimentary skills and talent, Susan and Lewis began to explore options to start their own business, and were referred by their local JobCentre in Bolton in late 2013 to the FranchisingWorks programme. They attended initial introductory workshops and found out about the opportunities – and funding – available to them in franchising.
With advice and support from the FranchisingWorks Business Advisor, they identified franchise London House International (LHI) as a great fit for their complimentary skills. LHI is a specialist and reputed white collar franchise providing financial and a commercial investigations services – from fraud investigation, to information gathering and surveillance – to blue chip companies across the UK.
Following months of preparation, research and planning and support by the FranchisingWorks team, in April 2014 they secured an investment from the FranchisingWorks Licence Fund of £14,750+VAT to help them to start up the business for the regional area of Warrington. They launched in May ’14 and are now offering their services to companies across the Warrington area. More than that, they have an opportunity to build a fantastic new life for their family.
“We wouldn’t be in the position of business owners without the help from FranchisingWorks. The training and support they gave us was invaluable. It is great to finally get started with our business. Although it is early days, it is going well. We successfully passed our training and are now trained investigators working in the Warrington area. We chose this particular franchise because it matched our complimentary skills and experience. We know that the success of the business will depend on our hard work but it is a wonderful feeling to be able to support the family again.” – Susan and Lewis Banister
Lewis had a successful and stable white collar career in auditing and accounts; and Susan similarly in senior level business development and sales, until 2013 when changes in their industries affected their employment.