Meet this year’s judging panel

Alisdair Gray

Executive director, European Franchise Federation

Alisdair Gray is the executive director of the EFF, based in Brussels, where he has helped companies and industry sectors in managing their public affairs activities at the E.U. level. He has over 20 years of experience working with all parts of the supply chain, and that has included campaigning to reduce payment card interchange fees on customer transactions both in-store and online, bringing about a reform of the E.U.'s trade defense instrument regime following a series of disputes between the E.U. and China.

Pip Wilkins

CEO, British Franchise Association

Pip Wilkins is the chief executive of the British Franchise Association (bfa). With more than 20 years’ experience in the franchise sector, Pip has worked her way up within the Association, gaining insight from all areas of the business and the franchise industry. She is well-known and highly regarded in franchising for her dedication and depth of knowledge.

Pip regularly speaks at conferences and seminars both domestically and internationally, as well as writing on franchising matters for national, local, and franchising trade press. Pip is also a regular judge for the annual bfa HSBC Franchise Awards and the Franchise Marketing Awards.

Jennifer Brandeen

Chief revenue officer, International Franchise Association

Jennifer Brandeen joined the International Franchise Association (IFA) as the chief revenue officer in November 2019. Prior to joining the IFA, Jennifer served in a variety of roles ranging from sales and marketing to finance and consulting, most recently leading strategy and business development for Sylvan Learning.

Steven Wolfson

Founder, Israel Franchise Institute

Steven Wolfson is the founder of the Israel Franchise Institute (IFI), voted "Best Franchise Development and Education Consultancy in Israel" by MEA Markets for 2020 and 2021. He is also chairman of the Committee for the Promotion of Franchise Regulation and Ethics for LAHAV (Israel Chamber of Independent Businesses), and the appointed franchise mediator and arbitrator for the Center for Mediation and Arbitration in Israel.

Sherry McNeil

President & CEO, Canadian Franchise Association

Sherry McNeil is the president and CEO of the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) and a franchising expert with over 25 years of experience assisting franchisors and franchisees in their growth and success. She has consistently been named one of the world's Top 100 Most Influential Women in Franchising. Sherry represents Canada at the World Franchise Council and serves as the organization’s vice-secretariat of communications.

Mary Aldred

CEO, Franchise Council of Australia

Mary Aldred commenced as the chief executive officer of the Franchise Council of Australia in April 2018, and brings to the role extensive experience across government, industry, and business, as well as a strong focus on membership engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and effective advocacy.

Platinum Sponsor

Robert Stidham

Founder & CEO, Summa Franchise Consulting

Robert Stidham is the chief executive officer of Summa Franchise Consulting and is the founder of Franchise Dynamics, a full-service franchise sales outsourcing firm. His companies currently either work with or represent a significant number of emerging to large-sized franchisors across virtually every segment of franchise category throughout the United States and worldwide. He is both the founder of each of these companies and a current principal investor and partner in each firm.

Platinum Sponsor

Kevin Hein

Co-chair, Franchising and Licensing Sector Team, Akerman

Kevin Hein serves as co-chair of Akerman’s Franchise and Licensing Sector Team, a highly experienced group handling U.S. and international franchising, licensing, dealership and trademark counseling, registration and litigation matters for franchisors, licensors, subfranchisors, dealers, and other business clients.