Seated sports franchise, Rise, has announced the launch of its 15th Franchisee and 25th territory, as it approaches its fourth year in business.
Launched by North West entrepreneurs and franchising specialists, Trevor and Sam Brocklebank, and ex PE teacher and sports enthusiast, Rob Oyston (who developed the Rise seated sports programmes). Rise originally launched in Cardiff in 2021 and shortly after announced its first franchise sale in Epsom.
Since then Rob, Trevor and their team have gone on to launch a further twenty four franchise territories. This sees the brand now represented from Scotland to the south coast, with its latest franchisee based in West Lothian.
Rise has been particularly successful securing growth through multi-unit ownership, where a franchisee purchases multiple territories and multi-brand ownership. This strategy has been particularly effective with owners of home care franchises who see Rise as a complementary business.
The company’s adapted sports programme aims to help people of all abilities to get active and have fun; bringing health and wellbeing benefits. Sessions are offered in local communities and across health and social care settings, schools and even done as part of corporate team building days.
Rise has been recognised with a number of awards, achieving Expanding Franchise status with the BFA and were the BFA/HSBC Best Emerging Franchisor in 2023.
In 2024, Rise was named European Emerging Franchisor of the Year by the European Franchise Federation and winner in the Business to Consumer category of the Best Franchise Awards 2024.
Rise was also named as the Health & Fitness Franchise of the Year from the Corporate LiveWire in Innovation and Excellence Awards 2024, and has been shortlisted for this award in 2025.
Trevor Brocklebank, a former chair of the British Franchise Association and Homecare Association, is also chair of Marketing Cheshire and chair of governors at The Grange School.
In 2005 Trevor co-founded Warrington-based home care franchise, Home Instead UK with his wife Sam. The company went on to win the Queen’s Award for the innovation it brought to the home care sector.
Speaking about Rise, Trevor said,
“Launching a new franchise in a new sector is challenging but I’ve been here before and have the benefit of being able to draw on my experience with Home Instead’s launch back in 2005.
“What’s really exciting is that our franchisees are now growing their teams and new franchisees are growing at a faster rate than before; significantly outperforming the original targets we set.
“I’ve always been motivated by business that makes a difference. It’s perhaps a term which is over-used but I’ve seen our sessions in action and can attest to their life-affirming benefits.
“People of all ages respond so well to sport and activity; it’s great for physical and mental health. The fact that our programme allows people of all abilities to take part is what’s unique about our brand.”
www.rise.life