Cash prizes are on offer for the UK’s best franchisees.

The British Franchise Association has launched its Franchisee of the Year Awards, sponsored by HSBC Bank and Express Newspapers, to recognise top performers from an industry worth £12.4bn.

The overall winner will walk away with a top prize of £5,000, with two runners-up winning £3,000 and £2,000 respectively.

Judges are looking for franchisees whose businesses have outperformed competitors and excelled at managing change, the theme for this year’s awards.

Brian Smart, director general of the bfa, said: "This year we are looking for examples of the franchise model that demonstrate the fusion of a franchisor driven to build and support a network, and franchisees who are committed to developing their own business."

"The franchise sector is home to some of the UK’s most well known brands and HSBC is proud to have been supporting this booming industry for more than 20 years," said Cathryn Hayes, the bank’s head of franchising.

"Franchisees are fundamental to its continued success and we are calling on the UK’s finest to tell us why they should be crowned bfa Franchisee of the Year 2008."

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner during National Franchise Week (dates) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, on October 2.

Entry forms from the bfa, A2 Danebrook Court, Oxford Office Village, Langford Lane, Oxford, OX5 1LQ or downloaded from the members only section of www.thebfa.orgor www.dailyexpressfranchise.com. The closing date June 27.

Meanwhile, the Kent Messenger Group is staging its third annual Kent Franchise Exhibition on September 12 and 13 at the County Showground, Detling. It will run alongside the Start and Grow Your Own Business show.

More detail at www.kentonline.co.uk/franchise.