Water Babies celebrates top 5 spot in esteemed league table

Water Babies is delighted to announce its recognition as one of the premier franchise opportunities in the UK. Standing out among numerous competitors across various sectors, Water Babies has secured a prominent position among the top five by claiming the no.2 position in the highly regarded Elite Franchise Top 100 (EF100) – a title it will proudly hold throughout 2025. 

Since 2017, the EF100, sponsored by HSBC UK, has become a significant fixture in the UK franchising calendar. This ranking evaluates franchisors on numerous criteria, including the scale and speed of their growth, their support to franchisees and their contributions to community prosperity. 

Such initiatives are essential for the advancement and evolution of the franchising industry. Franchisors strive tirelessly to innovate and improve, aiming for a place in this esteemed league table. Now in its eighth year, the competition is fiercer than ever, with a distinguished panel of judges setting rigorous standards and introducing a new People's Choice award voted by Elite Franchise subscribers. 

Anita Roberts, Franchise Director at HSBC UK, commented, “The resilience and innovation shown in the face of all the challenges the British business environment throws at us is truly commendable.”  

Despite a turbulent and ever-changing economic landscape, franchises such as Water Babies have thrived over the past year, thanks to their robust business models and resilient operational structures. 

Howard Harrison, CEO at Water Babies says “We’re thrilled Water Babies has been ranked as the #2 franchise in the UK in the prestigious Elite Franchise Top 100 Awards! This incredible honour reflects the dedication of our Head Office and network of franchisees, as well as the expertise of our amazing teachers and the trust of the families who join us in the pool every day. 
 
Over the past 12 months, we’ve made waves with innovative strides that set us apart as the world leaders in baby swimming. Our Oceans of Imagination programme has redefined how families experience swimming, putting children at the heart to give a lifelong love of swimming. A key part of this is our new reward and recognition initiatives, designed to celebrate and encourage swimmers’ progress every step of the way, giving children and their families a deeper understanding of the value of learning to swim.” 
 
We’ve also embraced cutting-edge technology to enhance the customer journey, introducing online booking and a personalised parent portal to streamline access and deliver tailored experiences for every family. These advancements are just part of how we continue to lead the way, ensuring Water Babies remains the gold standard in baby swimming worldwide. To be recognized as one of the very best franchises in the UK is a testament to the strength of our community and the passion behind everything we do.” 
 
A huge well done to our fellow finalists who are helping showcase the strength, creativity, and resilience of franchising in the UK. Franchising plays a vital role in driving business success, community engagement, and entrepreneurship, and we’re proud to be part of such an inspiring network.” 
 
Thank you to Elite Franchise for this recognition and to everyone who has been part of our journey so far. Here's to another year of innovation and success” said Howard Harrison. 

The Water Babies team is proud not only of providing outstanding baby and toddler swimming lessons to their valued clients but also of being recognised as a top-tier opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs. You can vote for Water Babies in the EF100 People’s Choice Award by becoming a subscriber

For more information about Water Babies and how to join its exceptional franchise network, click here - https://waterbabies.co.uk/work-with-us/franchise-opportunities  

To discover more about Elite Franchise, click here - https://elitefranchisemagazine.co.uk/