The EWiF Young Woman in Franchising category celebrates the next generation of trailblazers in our industry. It recognises outstanding contributions made within a single year, honours the journeys behind them, and champions early leadership shaping the future of franchising. In 2025, Lucy Crabtree’s work at babyballet® placed her firmly in the spotlight.
Being shortlisted alongside a strong group of finalists was already a proud moment for Lucy. Winning the award, however, was something else entirely. Reflecting on the moment, she said:
“Winning the EWiF Young Woman in Franchising 2025 award felt incredibly surreal and I am still on cloud nine. I was already so proud to be named a finalist among so many inspiring women, so hearing my name called as the winner will be a moment I’ll never forget. For me, this achievement is a reminder that hard work and passion really do pay off—and that, more importantly, age should never be seen as a barrier to success.”
Throughout 2025, Lucy made a significant impact in her role as UK Managing Director, helping to strengthen and stabilise the babyballet® UK network. Her work during the year focused on supporting franchisees, developing internal teams, and ensuring consistent quality and delivery across the brand. Judges were particularly impressed by the clarity of her leadership and the tangible progress achieved within the judging period.
Lucy believes her recognition reflects both her leadership approach and the culture she has helped to foster. Having progressed through the organisation from an early age, she has remained passionate about supporting franchisees, empowering her team, and helping the next generation of babyballet® stars shine. Her approach combines strategic focus with genuine care—balancing people and performance in a way that resonated strongly with the judges.
Winning the Young Woman in Franchising award marks a meaningful professional milestone. For Lucy, it has strengthened her confidence as a young leader and reinforced her commitment to inspiring other women to pursue their ambitions without hesitation.
For babyballet®, the accolade shines a spotlight on a values-led brand and the strength of its franchise model. It also reflects the impact of investing in emerging leadership and recognising achievement at the moment it happens.
The Young Woman in Franchising award captures a specific year of progress, but it also points firmly towards the future. Lucy’s success in 2025 demonstrates how thoughtful, people-focused leadership can drive meaningful results and shape what comes next for franchising.
Why You Should Apply for the 2026 Awards
Lucy’s story highlights the purpose of the EWiF Awards: recognising real impact, as it happens. Whether you’re early in your journey or already leading change, applying for the 2026 awards offers the opportunity to celebrate your achievements, raise your profile, and inspire others across the franchising community. Your contribution matters—and it deserves to be recognised.