The World Franchise Investment Summit logo

3 & 4 APRIL 2020

ExCeL LONDON

Stephen Thompson: Speaking at the World Franchise Investment Summit

Stephen Thompson

Darwin Gray

Avoiding Legal Issues Whilst Franchising Your Business

Steve is Managing Partner and Head of Franchising at Cardiff-based commercial law firm Darwin Gray. During this seminar, Steve will be taking you through ''how to franchise your business whilst avoiding legal issues.

Darwin Gray’s specialist Franchising team provides legal guidance and support for both franchisors and franchisees, from setting up or buying a franchise to managing employees and dealing with disputes to expanding or selling.

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About Stephen Thompson

As an Affiliate member of the British Franchise Association (BFA), Steve has experienced expertise in relation to the buying and selling of franchise businesses. With over 20 years’ experience in the franchising industry, Steve has considerable experience in advising prospective franchisees and both new and experienced franchisors including the buying and selling of franchises.

In addition to day-to-day legal assistance such as drafting franchise agreements, operations manuals and licence agreements, Steve also assists with strategic goals such as expansion of franchise networks and advising on long-term goals and re-sales.

A trained litigator, Steve is also experienced in dealing with franchise disputes, although he prefers to help franchisors to pre-empt such disputes arising by having the right policies and agreements in place.

In addition to his BFA affiliation, Steve is also one of only two Qualified Franchise Professionals (QFP) in Wales.

Steve is the Regional Chair for the South West & Wales EWIF (Encouraging Women into Franchising) branch. EWIF is a not-for-profit organisation supporting women in the franchising industry. The South West & Wales region was consolidated in 2018, with Steve at the helm to help grow the presence of EWIF in Wales. As Regional Chair, Steve and his team at Darwin Gray organise and run practical events for franchisors and franchisees in the area, to share best practice. They also invite external experts and speakers to deliver talks covering a range of topical franchising issues from branding to disputes.

Steve regularly speaks at franchising industry events including the BFA, EWIF and the AFA (Approved Franchise Association). In September 2019, Steve won the Silver award for Supplier of the Year at the inaugural AFA Awards which took place in Milton Keynes.

Steve has extensive experience in training and advising on intellectual property issues, both generally and in relation to franchises. His training has included guidance on how to maximise and commercialise your intellectual property as well as protect it within your franchise model.

Steve has also led on a series of franchising events in partnership with NatWest across the UK, as well as delivering a podcast on the benefits of ‘franchising as a route to growth’ with NatWest and franchise consultants, Lime Licensing.