Our panel of experts

Franchising is a complex business and it is often hard to know where to turn for reliable advice. Help is at hand - ask our carefully selected panel of industry experts who use their experience and expertise to offer invaluable advice on franchising in every issue of Business Franchise magazine.
The Panel

Brian Smart
Brian Smart has been director general of the bfa since 1989 and is a cornerstone of the franchise industry. Among his countless contributions to ethical franchising, he has been a member of the board of directors of the European Franchise Federation since 1990, was co-chairman of the multi-national group that set up the World Franchise Council, is a member of the Federation's negotiating team with the European Commission regarding franchise regulation and is also a special advisor to the European Federation's board.

John Pratt
John Pratt is the founding partner of Hamilton Pratt which is the largest specialist franchise law firm in Europe and acts for more than 25 per cent of the full members of the bfa. John is the Legal Advisor to the bfa and chair of the International Bar Association's Franchise Committee. He has written the UK text book on franchising - "Franchising: Law & Practice" and contributs to PLC's Commercial Contacts and International Sales and Marketing Manuals, "International Franchising Law" and "Practical Commercial Precedents".

Cathryn Hayes
Cathryn Hayes is HSBC's national franchise manager and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. She has been in her present appointment since 1994 and has a high profile within the franchise industry. Among many important roles, she acts as a judge on the prestigious bfa Franchisor and Franchisee of the Year Awards, which the bank sponsors, and has served as the BFA's affiliate representative, looking after the interests of the professional membership.

Peter Williams
One of the industry's best-known and most experienced practitioners, bfa affiliate Peter Williams began his career in franchising back in the 1980's with Dyno-Rod. He formed his own consultancy in 1990 where he continues to advise on all aspects of franchise development in line with the bfa code of ethics. In 2002, he was on the judging panel of the bfa Franchisor and Franchisee of the Year Awards.