Andy Hutchings
Essex & London
Summary
Experienced multi-site operations leader with 20+ years overseeing educational and early years networks across 60+ centres. Expertise includes safeguarding, compliance, inspection readiness, staffing development, commercial improvement, early years programme creation, and organisational growth.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Director of Franchise Operations
Swish Theatre Schools
2025.04 - 2025.12
- Supporting strategic and operational development of Swish Theatre Schools' franchise network.
- Advising new and existing franchisees on recruitment, marketing, training, and school launch planning.
- Contributing to national business planning, contract updates, and performance improvement.
- Delivering discovery sessions and guidance for prospective franchisees.
- Leading head office team of 11.
- Leading operational support structures and systems improvements.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead and implementation of solid and compliant structures.
- Set up and delivered auditing model for quality control and support.
Regional Business Manager
PQA
2022.06 - 2025.04
- Delivery of business strategy to drive revenue, expansion and operational efficiencies.
- Using strong performing arts education industry knowledge to maximise sales and growth opportunities.
- Resolving complex issues with solid analysis and investigations.
- Liaising with compliance and safeguarding to ensure solid operational standards.
- Coaching, supporting and mentoring principals throughout their journey with the company.
- Assisting owners with financial planning and strategic direction.
- Principal induction into the business, from training to opening.
- Support with venue searches, negotiating costs and creating and producing contracts.
- Creating and delivering of training and software implementation. Ensuring effective delivery of companies' values and strategies.
Freelance Operations Manager
Theatretrain
2021.10 - 2022.06
- Brought into the company on consultancy basis, managing relaunch of over 60 centres post-pandemic and refresh of out-of-date franchise processes.
- Refresh and rewrite franchise operations manual and franchise agreements.
- Introduction of annual business planning and reviews of the network, and corresponding structures.
- Prepared the company for OFSTED registration.
- Creating stronger franchise support and compliance.
- Franchise site visits and one-to-one business planning, focusing on those centres more badly affected by the pandemic.
- Advising company directors on business and financial planning and head office structure and personnel.
- Creating and implementing franchise recruitment structures from lead generation to introduction into the network.
- Introducing the company to franchise professionals to enable more sound processes.
- Sourcing a developer to give the company full and automated booking system, enabling head office a network overview and ease of fee collection.
- Marketing planning and introduction of a marketing levy in consultation with the network.
- Organisation and planning of annual conference.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Director of Operations
Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools
2014.04 - 2021.10
- Having been central to creating the franchise model as General Manager, I focused on overseeing, developing, and managing the franchising arm of the organisation, leading a team of six at Head Office.
- Strategic execution of franchise expansion in UK.
- Developed the franchise business model and analysed financial performance, doubling number of sites and turnover in under two years.
- Oversaw each franchise's creative life cycle and supported franchisees from start to exit.
- Delivered franchise support and compliance through creation of minimum standards.
- Identified new franchisees and business leads.
- Wrote and maintained Franchise Operations Manual and franchise agreements.
- Liaised with solicitors and territory mappers.
- Led Discovery Days, business reviews, and Annual Conference.
- Implemented spending from marketing levy network wide.
- Conducted site visits and franchisee performance assessments including compliance and safeguarding.
- Motivated network to increase quality and sales.
- Created and managed unique online booking and admin system.
- Oversaw expansion-related recruitment and staffing needs.
- Submitted for industry awards.
- Built supplier relationships and transparent stock systems.
- Strengthened franchise industry links.
General Manager
Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools
2009.06 - 2014.04
- Managed over 20 weekend performing arts schools.
- Designed and led programmes, trained staff, and managed Head Office operations.
- Developed systems for registration and admin.
- Managed venue bookings and customer relationships.
- Created Jigsaw Jumpers pre-school programme.
- Ran children’s casting agency and directed youth theatre productions.
Assistant Manager
Gymboree Play & Music
2006.01 - 2009.06
- Created and delivered pre-school education program.
Actor and Teacher
Various
2001.07 - 2006.01
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre
Guildford School of Acting
Guildford07.2001
Certification
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Training
- E-Safety Training
- Level 2 Certificate in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People
Additional
Full Clean Licence and Car.
Affiliations
- Theatre, Travel, Dog Walking
Timeline
Director of Franchise Operations
Swish Theatre Schools
2025.04 - 2025.12
Regional Business Manager
PQA
2022.06 - 2025.04
Freelance Operations Manager
Theatretrain
2021.10 - 2022.06
Director of Operations
Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools
2014.04 - 2021.10
General Manager
Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools
2009.06 - 2014.04
Assistant Manager
Gymboree Play & Music
2006.01 - 2009.06
Actor and Teacher
Various
2001.07 - 2006.01
Bachelor of Arts - Theatre
Guildford School of Acting