L to R: David Batten, Denis Sprague, Lee Freeman, Mary Murphy, Ian Jarman, Derek Brown

Congratulations and welcome to our newest intake of Auditel Consultants, who have just completed the first stage of their initial training programme here in Winchester. They bring a wide range of industry and professional experience with them - from property consultancy and IT development, to marine sales and construction - and it’s great to know this knowledge now forms part of the Auditel network. We’ve had a really fun week getting to know them all and wish them all the best with their new businesses.

Just as importantly, though, the ongoing management aspect of the Auditel service means Cathy can focus on the core challenges faced by the hospice, safe in the knowledge that their overheads are being looked after. “With Auditel managing our costs I feel confident in the knowledge that all our bills are being checked on an ongoing basis and we are spending our money wisely. I have regular meetings with Steve and Keith, but if I need them at other times they are just a phone call away and always eager to help.”

Read the full story and other client testimonials here.

Since then 23 TPIs have been awarded Full Membership by demonstrating compliance with the Association’s code of practice and are entitled to carry the UIA approval logo, while all the major energy suppliers, Energywatch and the industry regulator, Ofgem, have pledged their support.

With Ofgem estimating that energy prices may spike by 60% over the next seven year, it’s not hard to see why this is such a concern, nor why Auditel consultants are in such high demand to help FD’s and UK organisations manage both their energy purchasing and usage policies.

As one of the UK’s leading home-based executive franchise opportunities, Auditel is a superb low-risk, high-yield business opportunity in which top earners are currently enjoying incomes of £100k - £200k. If you’ve ever thought about running your own business and want to know more about this exciting opportunity come to the Franchise Show at Excel on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th February where our team will on Stand 232. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend a presentation by Ed Brewer, our Business Development Manager, called ‘In Business for yourself but not by yourself,’ which will introduce the benefits of franchising as a model for starting your own business. Peter Lawrence, an Auditel consultant since 2002, will also be giving a presentation called ‘Working from home and finding success‘.

Auditel Award Winners 2009

To round off the day, delegates enjoyed a black-tie gala dinner at which we were joined by sponsors from our summer Supplier Exhibition. As well as pre-dinner drinks, an excellent meal and a charity raffle (which raised over £1,000 for the Tearfund organisation) we also presented a number of awards to Affiliates who have made particularly special contributions to the Auditel Network during 2009. These included two ‘Rising Star’ Awards, presented to Ruth Dawe and Laurence Fitch, and Denis Brennan; a ‘Newcomer of the Year Award’, presented to Peter Harrison; the ‘Tim Rix Memorial Award’ presented to Alan Ford; a ‘Special Contribution Award’ presented to our longest-serving Affiliate, David Lowe; the ‘Franchisee of the Year Award’, presented to Peter Lawrence and the ‘Consultants Consultant Award’, presented to Adrian Burton.

Despite being at very different stages in the development of their cost management consultancy practices, all our winners have demonstrated professionalism, energy, enthusiasm, commitment and generosity of time, knowledge and spirit towards their colleagues throughout the year and were popluar choices to receive their well-deserved accolades.

All in all, Conference 2009 was a very successful event, combining business and pleasure for consultants, invited guests and the head office team alike and it provided a fitting grand finale event to our busiest and most successful year yet.

Having spent many years in senior retail management throughout the UK and overseas, Nick joined cost and purchase management specialists Auditel in January this year. As an Auditel Consultant, Nick works as a specialist outsourced management resource for small and medium-size businesses across the UK, helping them to manage their critical business costs. As an active member of the Swindon business community, he has also been heavily involved in the regeneration plans for the town centre for a number of years.

Nick comments, “Having worked at a strategic level in Swindon for more than eleven years, I understand the issues facing small businesses. The Swindon Chamber of Commerce is in prime position to be the catalyst for bringing together the commercial interests in the area with the local authority and the various industry interest groups – all of whom want the same thing: for Swindon to be the commercial powerhouse it could so easily be.”

Chambers including Bedfordshire, Luton, Birmingham, Crawley, Horsham, Doncaster, Shropshire, Thames Valley, Gloucestershire and Mid West Wales are also working closely with Auditel consultants to bring our valuable cost and purchase management services to their members.

As Daryn said before the race, “I’m not quite sure how I got here but here I am about to embark on a half-marathon! Actually I do know, as I specifically choose to run for Diabetes UK for a couple of reasons. My late mum had diabetes, and as I do too, I thought the training would help me.”

Daryn didn’t set himself a target time, as raising money and getting to the finish without the assistance of the St. John’s Ambulance were his main objectives. Once he’d got his breath back after the race Daryn said, “It was an amazing experience. As I had some really generous donations - £1,000 so far - I thought it was important to make a serious attempt and not just walk round. Considering that my restricted training had not let me go beyond five miles I was surprised that I felt quite comfortable up to ten miles. Then it was a different story as my shortened training was seriously exposed. I didn’t know you could experience such pain but once I was into the last three miles I was determined to make it to the line. I certainly managed that. I ran every step of the way without stopping or walking even once and finished in 3 hours 33 minutes and 19 seconds! This morning, I can’t believe that I ran for over 3 1/2 hours, but my legs are definitely reminding me that I did!”

Daryn joins a growing band of intrepid Auditel consultants and staff who have set themselves mental and physical challenges in support of charities this year. This group includes Alan Ford, who completed the Ironman Triathlon for Cancer Research in August, Chris Gordon who completed the Pennine Walk in record time for Wonder Years earlier this month and Edward Brewer who joined his 98-year old grandfather, George Moyse, in a parachute jump for the RNLI and Royal Airforce Association in April. Meanwhile Jack Pokoj will take part in the New York Marathon (his second this year) for Breast Cancer Care in November.

The Auditel recruitment team will be on Stand F190 and would welcome the chance to meet with anybody interested in developing a home-based professional business as a member of the UK’s leading network of cost and purchase management consultants. In addition, our Business Development Manager, Ed Brewer, will be presenting a seminar called “In Business for yourself not by yourself - how to choose your perfect franchise” at 12:15pm on both days, while one of our consultants, Denis Brennan, will be on the whichfranchise.com Franchisee panel on Friday 2nd.

For more information about the exhibition or to register for a free ticket, contact Tara Martin on 01962 863915.