WhiteCollarFranchise Executive and Management Franchises & UK Professional Business Opportunities For Sale
Aspray Property Franchise Case Study
Sara Holmes had a track record of hitting targets, fuelling business growth and enhancing the profitability of businesses before she took up the franchise opportunity with Aspray and became a loss assessor.
Aspray Property Franchise Case Study
Franchise Information
  • BFA Membership StatusFull
  • UK Years Established18 years
  • Current UK Coverage60%
  • Franchisee Support Staff16
  • Personal Investment Req.£17,000 approx
  • Total Startup Cost£53,000 approx
  • Home-based business locationYes
  • Business to business servicesYes
  • Franchisee operates individuallyYes
Next Steps

The Person Behind Aspray Sunderland

With over 20 years’ experience under her belt delivering successful housing and regeneration schemes in the public and private sector, Sara Holmes had a track record of hitting targets, fuelling business growth and enhancing the profitability of businesses before she took up the franchise opportunity with Aspray and became a loss assessor. 

So how has her impressive CV helped her fledgling franchise business and who is the person behind Aspray Sunderland?  We made it our mission to find out!

Aspray | Sara HolmesPlease tell us a little bit about Aspray Sunderland.  When did you start your franchise business?

"I set up the company on April the 20th 2018, but I didn’t start trading until after my training finished on the 22nd June.  The first day on which I sat at my desk and logged on to my CRM system was June the 28th and my very first Aspray appointment was on the Friday of that week."

What was it about the Aspray opportunity that attracted you?

"I felt that the role of loss assessor would suit me, as I could utilise many of the skills that I had mastered during 20 years of working in the housing sector, and in land buying and business development.  The time was also right for me to explore the opportunity."

Your CV suggests that you have a huge amount of experience in project management.  Is that a fair assessment?

"Absolutely.  I’ve provided strategic direction for many projects, which I have grown and monitored, adapting them where necessary. I am also used to co-ordinating and leading teams. The scope of my work has focused heavily on customer service delivery and has entailed overseeing the work of various sub-contractors. I’ve been a project director, a head of business development and a development director during my career."

What would you describe as your best qualities, what are your three key skills and how would you describe your personality in three words?

"Credibility and tenacity."

"Leadership, strategic approach and commercial thinking."

 "Enthusiastic, talkative and resourceful."

So now we know you a little better, why do you think these qualities and skills, coupled with your personality, will be useful in your Aspray franchise business?

"The Aspray business model relies on the correct application and delivery of several diverse operations.  Each element needs to be done correctly, in order to deliver the successful outcomes for the business.  My ability to plan, organise, negotiate, lead and manage teams of people, whilst also being abreast of various situations, suit the role well and dovetail with my credibility as an individual." 

What has been the biggest challenge, work-related or personal, that you’ve faced in your career to date?

"A total change in career.  I have followed the same career path for 20 years, moving up from assistant level to a role as a director.  However, I became disillusioned working in a PLC and could not see myself staying long-term in the next logical position on my career ladder, which would have been as MD.  I took a break from my career to review my future options and to reassess my priorities and decided that what I actually wanted was much better life balance and not another promotion.  That is why I decided to take up the Aspray franchise opportunity, to fit my work around the rest of my life."

How did you find the first few weeks in your business?

"During the first few weeks, I was up and down, wondering if I had made the right decision.  I clunked my way through my first pitch and felt a bit awkward about everything, but then everything suddenly clicked into place. People seemed to start to understand what a loss assessor does and started to ask me questions, enquiring how they could help me.  My confidence returned and I haven’t looked back."

How has it felt to be helping other people through their property insurance claim and what can be a distressing situation?

"I started to handle my first claim in week 3.  It feels great to call the claimant and just give them an update on progress, hearing them say, each time I talk to them, 'I’m so pleased that you are doing this.  I wouldn’t know where to start'." 

Find out how you can start your own Aspray franchise by clicking below

1,000 days of Aspray (Sutton Coldfield)1,000 days of Aspray (Sutton Coldfield)

Nathan and Sam Merritt are into their third year at Aspray (Sutton Coldfield) and are expanding further. We caught up with them to discuss their franchise and plans for the future.

Marketing At Aspray: George Masterton’s Impact In PeterboroughMarketing At Aspray: George Masterton’s Impact In Peterborough

George Masterton of Aspray Peterborough has been an example of a franchisee who has been able to hit the ground running straight away with a ready-made presence in his territory.

Breaking The Ice In Chester - Iain Speedie Brings His A-Game To Promoting The Deeside DragonsBreaking The Ice In Chester - Iain Speedie Brings His A-Game To Promoting The Deeside Dragons

Iain Speedie, representing Aspray (Chester), is looking to make an impact in the local community by becoming the title sponsor of the Deeside Dragons Ice Hockey club.

“Aspray Franchise has Helped me Achieve a Business to be Proud of”“Aspray Franchise has Helped me Achieve a Business to be Proud of”

Colin also plays a very important role within the Aspray network, offering mentoring and speaking to interested candidates on his experiences as an Aspray franchisee.

My First Year as a Project Management Franchisee…My First Year as a Project Management Franchisee…

George Cusack became a project management franchisee with Aspray in November 2018. After a long and successful career in the motor trade working in various management roles, George wanted to work for himself.

Colchester Property Insurance Claims Now in Humble HandsColchester Property Insurance Claims Now in Humble Hands

Perry Dawson is Aspray’s recently established franchise owner of the Colchester territory.

From Approved Contractor To Aspray FranchiseeFrom Approved Contractor To Aspray Franchisee

Jack Connor was an approved contractor for Aspray and he is now a successful Aspray franchisee himself.

Barry Thurston - How to successfully launch your Aspray business!Barry Thurston - How to successfully launch your Aspray business!

Director of Aspray Luton, Barry Thurston, hosted a very successful launch event for the opening of his new local business.

Introducing Clive and Nathalie Hawkesley from AsprayIntroducing Clive and Nathalie Hawkesley from Aspray

Clive and Nathalie Hawkesley joined the Aspray network in September 2013.

What Our Franchisees Say

Since the start, I have taken part in the peer-to-peer support offered through head office. I feel it’s important to be engaged and involved with this type of support. I don’t want to see people in the network struggle and at the same time, it allows me the opportunity to learn and grow from others that do the same job in different ways.Jack Parkhouse


It’s seeing people satisfied, happy and resolved and knowing that over the ten years you’ve helped people get back to their life. You see the homeowner, or policyholder satisfied and smiling, or you that the claims has caused them the minimum inconvenience, that’s what you have achieved for them.Roy Bowen


Why Choose Us

Exclusive Territory

Work From Home

Established and Proven Business Model

Related Franchise Categories
Related Franchise Types

WhiteCollarFranchise

Executive franchises and Management franchises from White Collar Franchise. Explore starting a professional business to business franchise, management franchise or executive franchise opportunity. UK Franchise news, franchisee case studies and franchise resources are all available to help start your own white collar franchise.

Latest News

Interested in subscribing to our newsletter about the latest franchise opportunities and information ?

Latest Tweets

Auditel is a leading Cost, Procurement & Carbon Solutions #Franchise. Help organisations reduce their carbon emissi… t.co/8ogHUZYGQn

10:28 AM May 19th

Why should you buy a #franchise? t.co/CGF09VAHpt explains why #buyafranchise…">t.co/xGlFLmR7Zv #buyafranchiset.co/twd2gtEdR5

10:22 AM May 19th
You have selected no franchises Complete your requests