A class act - two grammar school friends launch their Auditel franchise

Andy Horn and Andy Harvey joined the Auditel network in December 2009. They have known each other since they were eleven years old, when they started grammar school together. Andy Horn worked as a Business Relationship Manager for Liverpool Victoria (LV) insurance before moving to JP Morgan, where he spent five years managing Fixed Income and Futures & Options teams. Andy says: At 36, I was the third oldest person in a department of over two hundred! I realised this wasnt a long-term role, so I started trading currencies for myself, while seeking a business opportunity.

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Horn and Harvey had talked about setting up their own business together for a number of years, but the timing never seemed right. Last September, Andy Harvey, working for Lloyds TSB as a Commercial Planning Consultant, was looking for a change in career and they decided to make their move.

Andy Horn says: We went to the National Franchise Exhibition at Olympia to explore a few ideas in setting up our own business. After visiting almost every stand, we realised that a cost management opportunity stood out, way above the rest, as it fitted our skills and ambitions perfectly. We knew we would enjoy it and there was the potential to meet the goals we had set ourselves in terms of lifestyle. Andy Harvey adds: I also realised this was a business model that would be extremely difficult to set up on our own. The support of the franchisor and their network is an absolute necessity.

Having visited two cost management franchises, they chose Auditel. Horn said: Their Discovery Seminar, based on the structure, content and the bespoke tools of their business, was very helpful. They have a professional and ethical approach, which I trusted immediately. This franchise promises us great freedom of choice for the future.

Finance was raised partly through self-funding and a redundancy payment, with the balance via a bank loan.

Asked about progress, Harvey replies: We have allocated tasks to ensure that at least one of us is trying to get the next appointment. Initially, the challenge was to establish responsibilities and we found that we were overlapping and not pressing enough flesh! We also found that neither of us seemed to be blessed with telemarketing skills, so we have appointed an Auditel approved telemarketer.

Andy Horn continues: After this step, we gained four clients and have high hopes on another two new appointments. We have established a regular marketing campaign to bring in more business. In the future, we plan to sign at least twenty-four ideal clients. My dreams include taking my wife on holiday to Italy, with skiing for my son and finding time to get my golf handicap up to scratch! Breathlessly, we await thoughts from Andy Harvey

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