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STOPPRESS NEWS


IGF offers mobile app for invoice


finance customers


IGF, an independent commercial finance company specialising in the small and medium-sized business market, is offering a new mobile app to clients, which will enable them to access their account information instantly and in real-time.


IGF is the first finance company in the UK to use IGF Mobile, a mobile app from software provider HPD Software. The app, which securely displays invoice finance account details online, will be rolled out to all


of IGF’s clients during 2013. IGF’s managing director Tracy Ewen said: “The businesses we partner with like to be able to monitor their cashflow closely, and the IGF Mobile app is another way we can help them to do just that. At IGF we aim to support each of our clients to help them grow and be successful. Giving our clients on-the-go access to their account is another step towards becoming a genuine alternative to the high street banks for UK SMEs.”


Legal landmark for UK franchising industry


A High Court judge has ruled in favour of a franchisor in a case brought against one of its franchisees. The franchisees in question set up a rival business in breach of the franchise agreement, prior to its expiry, and the franchisor took immediate legal action to put a stop to it. An injunction was granted restraining the franchisees from competing in their former territory until later this year.


This is an important ruling for the UK franchise industry, partly because it shows that the court is prepared to uphold restrictive clauses in franchise agreements where necessary to protect the franchisor.


6 | www.franchisornews.co.uk


Restrictive clauses typically include, but are not limited to, setting up copycat operations and contacting the franchisor’s clients and customers for a period of time after the contract has ended. The court is willing to uphold these covenants in certain circumstances, as this case has shown, where the franchisor has a legitimate business interest in preventing its franchisees from unlawfully competing. Barney Laurence, a franchise dispute


resolution expert at Sherrards Solicitors LLP, acted on behalf of the franchisor. Following the outcome of the dispute, he commented: “I am delighted for the client. This was a case in which [the franchisor’s] commercial interests were significantly under threat, such that it was compelled to take action. It did so in the face of stiff resistance from the franchisees. The outcome was the right one, both from a legal perspective and in terms of justice for the franchisor.” The franchise agreement was drafted by Manzoor Ishani, head of Sherrards’ franchising group.


From the Forces to franchising


Louise Harris, franchise director of Wilkins Chimney Sweep has been busy promoting franchising to members and former members of the Armed Forces by attending seminars organised by the Thames Valley region of the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) alongside members of the bfa (British Franchise Association).


When Louise, the daughter of an ex-


Grenadier Guard and co chair of EWIF (Encouraging Women into Franchising), discovered that the FSB were running a series of seminars aimed at providing advice on how to set up your own business for serving members of HM’s Forces and for ex-Forces, she felt it was of great value to attend and invited the bfa to join her. Louise, who won EWIF’s New Woman Franchisor of the Year 2011 knew that the presence of the bfa was vital at any event where franchising was being discussed. The events were held at various venues across the Thames Valley region and were attended by approximately 200 serving and ex-military delegates.


Commenting on the events, Louise said: “Having attended all five seminars, I now have a much better insight into the concerns that face people when leaving the military and it was evident from talking to visitors they are very well informed. It is widely acknowledged in our industry that ex-military personnel offer some great skills in terms of discipline, tenacity, enthusiasm, persistence etc. There are grants and low-cost loan funding available to ex-military through schemes such as the Royal British Legion’s ‘Be The Boss’ scheme to help them start up their own business and we are very much hoping some will choose to become a Wilkins Chimney Sweep.”


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