WOMEN IN FRANCHISING Making a splash


Prior to joining Puddle Ducks, Faye Burrell worked for 10 years as a midwife in a busy teaching hospital


Puddle Ducks


Why the change of career and why Puddle Ducks? I’d always had an interest in swimming, and from a young age I’d swam competitively for local teams and joined a synchronised swimming club too! My children were very young and I struggled to get them booked into a baby swimming class local to me and so I looked for opportunities. I had a passion for working with parents and babies, and an existing love of swimming, becoming a Puddle Ducks franchisee felt like the perfect opportunity. As luck would have it, my local territory was available and with Puddle Ducks’ strong reputation and award-winning swimming programme, I decided to go for it.


When did you join Puddle Ducks? I have been a Puddle Ducks franchisee since I launched in 2009 and in that time have experienced incredible growth that I’m really proud of. We now have over 1,400 customers and over 40 employees. I’ve also expanded my business so that I now own Wakefi eld, Barnsley, Sheffi eld, South Leeds and most recently Huddersfi eld and Chesterfi eld. The expansion means that I have been


able to grow my amazing team and deliver swimming lessons to even more children across our local communities.


How have you found being a woman running her own business? Have there been any standout moments? Being a woman in franchising and running my own business is everything I hoped it would be. Supportive, inspiring and motivating, knowing I am operating and growing a successful business with the ongoing support and backing of a national brand. Not only this, but


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“The Puddle Ducks network is made up of ambitious, inspiring and passionate oen  oud to e  o tht”


my team and the Puddle Ducks network is made up of ambitious, inspiring and passionate women, and I’m so proud to be part of that. In terms of standout moments, I think


winning a number of awards along my journey has been something I’m really proud of. In 2024 I was lucky enough to be named as Puddle Ducks’ Franchisee of the Year as well as Woman Franchisee of the Year at the EWiF awards. This year, I’m a fi nalist at the upcoming BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards 2025. These achievements truly are a


testament to my amazing team who are so committed, the network that is a constant source of inspiration and of


course Puddle Ducks’ Head Offi ce who back me to build the business I’ve always dreamt of.


What qualities do franchisees need to work in this sector and be successful? You’ve got to have passion for what you do, as well as the ambition to make it happen. It’s important to strive for excellence as a leader so that your team feel driven to do the same.


What are your plans for the future? To continue to deliver exceptional service and lead my team with passion that inspires. I’d also like to expand my business and the services we offer further so that we can provide more children with the life-saving skill of swimming. I’m also dedicated to innovation and


pioneering new ideas locally that can be expanded nationally across our whole franchise network.


franchising.puddleducks.com


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