Lisa Raynes, founder of Pride Road – an architecture franchise aimed at women and other marginalised professionals – has been shortlisted for an honour at the NatWest EWIF Awards 2018.
Lisa – who launched Pride Road in 2017 – is up for the New Woman Franchisor of the Year 2018. The nomination follows her recent success at The English Women’s Awards where she was highly commended in the Creative Industries of the Year Award category.
EWIF, which stands for Encouraging Women into Franchising, supports women looking for a route into the franchise industry; whether buying a franchise or launching their own.
Lisa said: “I am truly honoured to be recognised by EWIF just a year after launching my franchise, Pride Road, and securing my first franchisee.
“Architecture has a huge problem with talented female professionals leaving the sector. I am passionate about empowering women back into the industry, especially those who have taken time out to perhaps start a family. My franchise helps them do just that.”
Lisa went from a sole practitioner to a franchise owner after realising women – especially mothers – were being forced out of the industry due to employers’ outdated approach to flexible working.
She knew if she could run her own successful practice so too could other women, and Pride Road was born.
The franchise is open to anyone who feels marginalised in the workplace.
Lisa will find out if she wins on Tuesday May 15, when the EWIF Awards Ceremony takes place at Bishopsgate in London.
