All about EWiF
Our story
EWiF was founded by a group of passionate professionals who recognised a clear gap in the franchise industry: not enough women were being represented, supported, or encouraged to get involved. Franchising offers one of the most accessible routes into business ownership, but too few women knew it was even an option. That needed to change. What began as a small initiative has grown into a national not-for-profit network, driven by a shared mission to empower more women to explore, enter, and thrive in the world of franchising.
Today, EWiF connects women with practical support, peer-to-peer advice, and powerful industry connections — whether you’re buying a franchise, franchising your business, or mentoring the next generation. We believe that when more women succeed in franchising, the whole industry benefits. And we’re here to help make that happen.
Our mission
At EWiF, our goal is to reshape the franchise industry so that women have a much stronger, more visible presence. The momentum is building and we’re seeing a clear shift, with more women stepping into franchising than ever before, especially younger women choosing to invest in franchise businesses.
In 2024, women made up 34% of all new franchisees, a significant increase of 17% since 2015. Even more encouraging, the overall proportion of female franchisees in the UK reached a record high of 40% — the highest since industry tracking began.
These numbers show real progress, but we know there’s still work to do. And at EWiF, we’re committed to driving that change.
%
New female franchisees in 2024
%
UK's franchisees are women
Typical mean age of a franchisee
What we do
Our primary focus is to support women who are looking for a route into the franchise industry. Our remit is threefold; to encourage women to consider buying a franchise, to encourage
Educate: Knowledge is power, and at EWiF, we believe in providing women with the comprehensive advice and guidance they need to make informed decisions. Our resources, regional meetings, and mentorships are designed to demystify the franchising process, offering practical insights and expert advice.
Inspire: Through our network of passionate members, we share success stories and real-world experiences to inspire women to take the plunge into franchising. Our members are living proof that with the right support and determination, women can thrive in the franchise industry.
Empower: We aim to empower women by providing them with the tools and confidence they need to succeed. From initial inquiries to ongoing support, EWiF is committed to helping women navigate the franchising world with confidence and clarity.
Meet the team
Helen Mansfield
EWiF Managing Diretor
Anne-Marie Martin
London Regional Chair
Katie Bullon
South Wales Regional Chair
Lyndsey Hancock
EWiF Business Support and Membership Administrator
Georgie Clayton
North West & North Wales Regional Chair
Kate Matthews
South Regional Chair
Fiona Boswell
Midlands Regional Chair
Karen Gibb
Scotland Regional Chair
Angela Sterling
North East Regional Chair
Claire Robinson
South West Regional Chair
Rachel Fay-Sedgwick
North East Regional Chair
Support our cause
Join us in our mission to educate, inspire, and empower. By joining EWiF, you become part of a vibrant community of EWiF members. Together, we can create a more inclusive, diverse, and successful franchising industry.
EWiF is built on our community of members, including franchisors and franchise service suppliers, who offer free services to women seeking advice and guidance on entering the franchise industry. Our members actively participate in reaching out to women in their region who may be looking to own their own business or to expand their existing business. They attend their local EWiF Regional meetings as often as they can, and assist in their regions activity plans to help support the EWiF Mission. If you would be interested in joining our community, gaining advice and guidance for yourself and also giving back to others who could benefit from your experience, your company can become an member of EWiF for £180 per annum (paid monthly). Click here to find out more. Let’s shape the future of franchising together!
How do we support our members?
EWiF has become a valuable community and source of information for so many people. We hold regular regional meetings around the UK to allow franchisors and prospective franchisors and franchisees to meet, network, discuss best practice and hear from a range of industry experts. We also hold an annual annual awards ceremony, sponsored by NatWest, to recognise the achievements of women in franchising and to boost their position and give them more credibility in their industry.
