2022 CLUB HUB AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Club Hub was delighted to announce 14 award winners for 2022 at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel Birmingham, on Saturday 14 May. 

Winners were selected from 5 finalists in each category, who had been shortlisted from applications from 100s of children’s activity businesses. The standard of finalists was extremely high and represented a diverse range of kids activities, clubs and related businesses.

The awards were independently judged by a panel of expert judges, who are specialists in their field. They selected the winners based on their commitment to excellence, innovation and growth of their business through their business performance, achievements, brand values and passion for what they do. 

The event is designed to help kids activity providers to grow their business through insight and tips on social media, brand awareness, marketing, franchising, sales, customer service and everything involved in running a kids’ club. It’s a full-day event, including networking opportunities with 100s of people from the kids club sector from all over the UK. 

“Huge congratulations to all our 2022 Club Hub award winners. Please celebrate with your friends, family and colleagues, tell everyone, you should be so proud of yourself. I hope this will give you the boost to achieve your aims and goals for 2022. See you next year for our 2023 event and awards!”

Tessa Robinson – Founder and Director of Club Hub UK

Family Business of the Year Award 

Family Business of the Year (2 or more members from the same family running the business).

Sponsored By Tumble Tots

Tumble Tots is the ULTIMATE weekly parent and child activity class that develops kids physical, cognitive, and social skills and is also the Family Business of the Year (2 or more members from the same family running the business).

And The Winners are: Ellie Baker and Mel Thomas – BilinguaSing

Multi-award winning BilinguaSing is a carefully-crafted music-led programme for teaching languages to babies and children from birth to 11 years.

It’s a fully holistic, multi-sensory experience, which means that lots of sensory activities are included to further boost children’s brain development and learning.

Our specialist classes also help develop children’s early communication skills and build their confidence, while also enhancing their physical and emotional development.

Alongside weekly parent & baby classes, our growing network of franchisees across the UK (with one branch in France) run sessions in nurseries and pre-schools, as well as primary school lunchtime and after-school clubs, and children’s parties.

There’s also a library of fully-copyrighted bilingual songs available on the BilinguaSing record label through our online shop.

Classes were established in 2013, and I first franchised the business in 2014; when I was joined in running BilinguaSing by my sister, Mel Thomas. As well as owning her own franchise, in Leamington Spa & Warwick, Mel is also the Franchisee Support Co-ordinator and COO for BilinguaSing. We now have 18 franchisees.

Biggest Growth of the Year Award 

Biggest Growth of the Year (Someone who has increased their number of bookings hugely or has shown they have made huge growth in their business in the last year).

Sponsored by FranScape

FranScape uses cutting edge technology to prepare your business for the digital revolution without the big investment. They use amazing tech to digitally transform your business off the shelf. Please go to our partners section on our club hub membership page where you can book a demo. 

And the Winner is: Mark Molloy – Soccer Stars Academy Franchise Ltd

Soccer Stars Academy have developed a fun programme of weekly football classes for toddlers and kids, across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Tayside & Fife and now recently expanded to England in areas such as Newcastle, Manchester Liverpool, Wirrall, Leeds and Durham.

We offer 4 different football classes each tailored to a specific age group. These include:

• Twinkle Stars: 18months – 3 years
• Bright Stars: 3-4 years
• Shooting Stars: 5-6 years
• Super Stars: 7-9 years

Each of our sessions is backed by our two core beliefs. First, we develop football skills in a fun environment that’s free of any pressure. We want to introduce football to toddlers and kids in a positive manner. Second, we wholeheartedly believe that football can be educational, the right coaching can aid social and cognitive development.

Non-Profit Business of the Year

Non-Profit Business of the Year (A charity or social enterprise or non-profit business in the kids activities industry).

Sponsored by The Children’s Activities Association 

The Children’s Activities Association (CAA) strives to raise the standard of organised children’s activities across the UK by offering an accredited membership that gives parents peace of mind.

And the Winner is : Clementine Brown – CodeBrave Tutors

Start-up Business of the Year Award

Start-Up of the Year (A business no more than 3 years old).

Sponsored by Tappy Toes

Multi Award-Winning dance, movement and sensory classes for babies and toddlers from 6 months to 5 years. Tappy Toes is on a mission to create life-ready children, one dance step at time. 

And the Winner is: Leonie Briggs – Amazelab

We are Amazelab putting a fun and creative take on all things STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) with the aim of providing engaging opportunities to people via workshops, video link, activity packs, follow along factsheets, and guidance open to all from educational settings to non -school groups and everyone in between. Our aim is to deliver an inspiring, creative take on STEAM subjects, their relevance to everyday life and deliver this in a fun but thought-provoking manner. Nominated for 3 awards in 2020 at The STEM Inspirational awards, The Global Teacher Prize 2021, National Teaching Awards 2021, winners of Small Business Awards Leading innovators in STEAM Education – UK and Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday winners.

Leader of the Year Award

Leader of the Year (Someone who manages a team of people, whether that is someone who is head of a franchise or any business in the kids activities industry. This person must have been managing this same team for more than 3 years).

Sponsored by The Children’s Activity Business Academy

Whether you’re fresh to the idea of being your own boss and you’re simply looking for someone to point you in the right direction, or you’re a seasoned veteran looking for a fresh pair of eyes and a new perspective, we thoroughly recommend booking a free discovery call with Kristine at the Children’s Activity Business Academy.

And the Winner is: Claire O’Connor – babyballet

Founded in Halifax in 2005, babyballet is an early years dance and ballet programme for boys and girls from 6 moths to 6 years focussed on building confidence, inclusivity and having fun. Claire O’Connor started the company with an idea and a whole lot of passion to improve every child’s physical, emotional, educational and social development.

The brand & business has grown to also include: classes, parties, events, entertainment, uniform, merchandise, children’s characters, shows, DVD, music, Children’s book.

It has achieved impressive growth and now has 86 franchisees across the UK running around 2,000 classes a week for 25,000 children. The company has also gone global with 27 licensees in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

The company YouTube channel itself has reached over 4,500,000 views which shows just how popular and engaging babyballet® is!

But no matter how far and wide the brand reaches, the ethos of inclusivity and fun will always be the driving force!

Male Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Male Entrepreneur of the Year (A male who has worked in the kids activities industry for more than 5 years).

Sponsored by Mitchy Titch Yoga

Their fun loving Monkey, Mitchy takes our younger children & families on an adventure through yoga poses and flows, stories, and games whilst our school children love to learn how to regulate and better understand their emotions, improve their concentration, and manage stress with breathing techniques. 

And the Winner is : Ross Adams – Small Screen Talent

Established in 2016 by award-winning actor, Ross Adams, Small Screen Talent was set up specifically to inspire, empower and motivate young people. Sharing acting for camera techniques learnt over several years in numerous TV programmes, Small Screen Talent has helped countless young people become more confident and resilient. Nurturing our talent whilst promoting kindness and inclusivity, our mission is to ensure every child is able to gain valuable life skills, realise their true potential and believe that they can succeed, no matter who they are, where they live, whatever their background or how they identify.

We are enormously proud to see many of our students benefiting from our training – whether that be in seeing them appear in big budget films, TV shows and commercials, or watching them win scholarships to prestigious drama schools like the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), we provide a platform which enables young people to thrive.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Someone under the age of 30 working in the kids activities industry).

Sponsored by Daisy First Aid

Daisy First Aid is a multi-award winning paediatric first aid company offering fun and fear-free first aid courses which are designed specifically for parents and child carers.  

And the Winners are: Corinna Bordoli and Léa Henry – CocoRio

CocoRio uses an underemployed talent pool (professionals in the creative industries) to provide a smarter and flexible child care solution. Their service offers quality in-home childcare combined with creative activities to provide a more meaningful experience. The company is founded by two young women of 26 years who are passionate about supporting parents in accessing flexible child care, freelance creative professionals in getting meaningful part time work and helping to expose children to creative activities to give them the best possible start in life and aid in their development.

What’s unique about the service is the combination of child care and kids activities. The child is well looked after and all sessions are tailored to the families’ requirements: art form, language of instruction, age group, and of course the child’s unique personality. Sitters are fully vetted and trained and are professionals in their craft – actors, dancers, musicians, as well as more specific experts such as puppeteers and mask makers! Many are also multilingual and offer sessions in a number of languages.

Female Entrepreneur of the Year

Female Entrepreneur of the Year (A female who has worked in the kids activities industry for more than 5 years).

Sponsored by The British Franchise Association

Formed in 1977, the British Franchise Association (bfa) is the trusted industry body influencing high quality standards for business format franchising across the UK.

And the Winner is: Helen Wilson – Fun Fest Cheshire

I am a Franchisee for Fun Fest for Children, providing Holiday Club childcare across Cheshire. We offer a daily activity menu for children to Choose fun when they come to us. Providing for 3 – 12 years, with days starting as early as 7.30am, we host a flexible and important service to parents in the local community. We can operate from any setting approved via our Ofsted registration. We are on the Early Years register and continue to support younger children during the holidays with natural age relevant development. Within the franchise agreement, we can run Before/After school clubs and Fun Fest parties. I quit my full time job from September 2021 to concentrate on my own business full time, after 2 years balancing very different 2 roles for children age 3 – 18!. Although my husband is co – franchisee, he is very much a background figure managing the overall finances. I have moved from a holiday hobby to a full time living my best life!

Digital Business of the Year

The Digital Business of the Year award goes to someone who has shown they have the knowledge of anything digital (social media, websites, apps) and have used those skills to improve their business.

Sponsored by Three Bears Cookery Club

Three Bears Cookery Club is a multi-award-winning children’s cookery school franchise. Our cookery clubs support the cooking and nutrition curriculum in EYFS, KS1 & KS2.

And the Winner is : Rachael Hurton – Synergy Dance Ltd & Synergy Dance Outreach

Synergy Dance® is a one stop package for leisure centres and schools offering an innovative range of children’s activities for digital and onsite dance clubs, yoga, parties, holiday workshops & courses. We empower leisure centres and schools, offering a complete service to increase their revenue streams & range of activities.

Our innovative dance and yoga activities in schools and leisure centres, are serving both mainstream children and children within the Special Needs & Disability community (SEND). At Synergy, no one is left behind.

Synergy supply onsite & some 650 digital pre-recorded dance, yoga & meditation courses for juniors & teens & school clubs, themed workshops, dance parties, CPD training, holiday camps and Special Educational Needs & Disability programmes for schools.

Our core values are innovation, inclusion, Value (for money) *Quality (of Delivery & Service). We will make it happen & go the extra mile. We have a ‘can do’ attitude, our teams take ownership for innovation & consistently provide exemplary service & delivery. We stand for excellence and inclusion. Our purpose is to Make a Difference and keep all children active. Our Brand Ambassador is Will Perry.

Community Business of the Year

Community Business of the Year (A business that supports their local community by organising events for them or raising money for local causes or being involved with local schools and businesses).

Sponsored by Soccer Stars Academy

Soccer Stars Academy is Scotland’s fastest growing, award winning toddler and kids football academy.

And the Winner is: Monika Johnson – Super Sparkle

Super Sparkle UK provides interactive, original theatrical experiences for children aged 2-16 years. Our ethos is to spark imaginations, ignite make believe adventures through Storytelling, Drama, Magic, and Music (including technology) and empower children to be the superstars they are!

As an independent, specialist provider, we have reached thousands of children since setting up in 2013. Our vision is to excite young people to ‘have a go’ at creating and using performance as the spark to launch them into their own super creative futures! Encouraging children to find their voice and use it (however that may be) also allows us to deliver a programme that equips young people to acknowledge and control their own well being and ambitions.

Super Sparkle creates and delivers magical, adventure based parties, large scale and corporate performance events, early years to secondary storytelling and drama classes, well being workshops and interactive storytelling theatre alongside specialist programmes for SEN schools, communities and families.

Franchisee of the Year

Franchisee of the Year (Someone who has bought a franchise licence in the kids activities industry and made it a big success).

Sponsored by Morton Michel Insurance

Morton Michel has supported the Children’s Activities sector for nearly 50 years and fully understands the importance that children’s activity providers bring to a child’s learning and development.

We have 6 finalists for this category as 3 candidates received the same score from the judges. 

And the Winner is: Anna Coggan – Caterpillar Music Newark

Caterpillar Music Newark has been providing music classes for under fives for nearly 8 years in Newark and surrounding areas. We provide exciting multi sensory classes that are not only fun for the children but also for their carers (after all they have to choose to come along every week too!) With a different theme every week there is always something new to enjoy however our regular structure offers security; knowing what to expect and when. This helps build children’s confidence, allowing them to grow and develop week by week.

Franchise of the Year

Franchise of the Year (A registered franchise that shows they have the whole package of a ready made business that will excel. This is not a person but the name of the franchise.

Sponsored by Trustist 

Trusitist is an award-winning customer reviews platform that helps businesses generate more opportunities to make more sales.

And the Winner is: Anna Neville – Kidslingo

Kidslingo is a language franchise teaching French and Spanish to over 20,000 children aged 0 – 11 every week. We provide a face-to-face and online programme in primary schools (delivering clubs and curriculum classes), nurseries, community venues, private homes, as well as offering 1-2-1 tuition.

Kidslingo’s philosophy is simple – to inspire children to love languages for life. We aim to foster inquisitiveness for language learning from a child’s very earliest years.

I (Anna Neville – CEO & Founder) have built up Kidslingo single-handedly to a position of brand and financial strength, making a significant impact on the numbers of children now accessing languages at a young age in the UK. What started off as local initiative to fit around my own children, has developed into a successful national network of language experts teaching and inspiring thousands of children.

For our wonderful franchisees, we provide a ready-made business package from in depth training and ongoing support to exciting and engaging teaching materials and everything in between. This structure enables them to grow and thrive doing something that they love and have a true impact on young children.

Independent Business of the Year

Independent Business of the Year (not a franchise but an independent business that has made a fantastic kids club or activity for children to join).

Sponsored by Kaishi Karate School

Kaishi Karate School is based in northwest London and teaches karate to children from 4 years old. Kaishi Karate School also teaches teenagers and adults as well as running a family orientated class.

And the Winners are: Jennifer Holden and Samantha Shaw – BOSS ACTING SCHOOL LTD

B.O.S.S. (Be On Stage & Screen) Acting School is a new cutting-edge drama school offering classical actor training with a fresh and innovative twist!

Founded by two passionate and professional actors Jennifer Brooke and Samantha Shaw B.O.S.S was created to teach children of all ages the skill of performance on stage AND screen.

Our actors range from 2 years old all the way until 18 years and train in all performance skills, merging the highest professional level tuition with an exciting and dynamic experience.

At B.O.S.S. we put Self-Expression in the spotlight! We build children’s confidence and help them find their voice. We want them to know they are worthy of anything they set their heart on!

B.O.S.S. offers weekly classes alongside holiday camps focusing on musicals in a week, movie camps and specialist workshops.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Lifetime Achievement Award (A person who has worked in the kids activities industry for more than 10 years who has made a big impact on hundreds of children’s lives.

Sponsored by Spa Babies

Spa Babies is the original and leading Baby Spa in the U.K. It was established in April 2019 and the class is designed for babies between 0-9 months old. The baby spa is a 60 minute parent and baby bonding experience.

And the Winner is: Amanda Frolich – Amanda’s Action Club

Amanda’s Action Club is an innovative physical development concept for children aged 4 months to 3 years, where children sing, move, play, and learn together. Tried and tested over 30 years, in venues across London, this is an award-winning pre-school concept, like no other. Using innovative props and her own professionally produced music, Amanda educates and engages children and their parents in her own unique and action-packed way, teaching pre-schoolers about their bodies and the world around them. Amanda believes that children move better when adults move with them and works hard to create shared experiences between parent and child. Outside of her classes, Amanda also works with early years providers, policymakers, and charities across the world to ensure her healthy start proposition reaches the widest possible audience. Her ‘Action Amanda at Home’ app has been invaluable for parents and carers during the pandemic and she’s currently working on a series of books and an animation.

Special Mention Club Hub Awards 2022

We wanted to give a special mention to Cate Blackmore, WestWay School of Performing Arts, who was a finalist in 5 categories, which is amazing. 

• Biggest Growth of the Year
• Start-Up of the Year
• Leader of the Year
• Community Business of the Year
• Independent Business of the Year

A Special Mention has been made at these awards to Cate Blackmore for being named as a finalist in 5 categories. This is an outstanding achievement and demonstrates a high level of performance across a range of business aptitudes. As well evidencing business growth and community outreach, Cate, as a successful start-up business (less than 3 years old), was also shortlisted in the Leader and Independent categories, ahead of and alongside some long established businesses and very experienced leaders.

Cate is an excellent role model to independent activity providers and start-up businesses and we are sure we will see her again at the top of our award categories.

Thank you for reading all about our Club Hub Award Winners 2022. Applications for the 2023 Awards will open on the 1st of November 2022 and close on the 31st of January 2023.