Andy Hutchings

• Provide hands-on business development guidance to franchisees, drawing on 20 years' sector-specific expertise in children's performing arts education.
• Applied proven coaching and commercial-analysis methods from previous regional and consultancy roles to establish a new franchise network and business model.
• Coached and supported franchisees to enhance business performance, develop growth strategies, and meet operational standards across the network.

• Delivered business strategy to drive expansion and operational efficiencies across the region.
• Reviewed franchisee KPIs and P&L accounts to identify revenue opportunities, control costs and enhance profitability.
• Assisted principals with financial planning and strategic direction.
• Coached and mentored principals throughout their journey with the company, facilitating induction from training to opening.
• Applied strong performing arts education industry knowledge to maximise sales and growth opportunities.
• Delivered training and implemented software to ensure alignment with company values and strategy.
• Supported venue searches, cost negotiation, and contract creation and production.
• Resolved complex issues through solid analysis and investigation.

Consultancy delivering franchise operations, business planning and commercial turnaround support to performing arts education networks. Engaged on a project and retained basis by the following organisations:

Managed the relaunch of over 60 centres post-pandemic and the refresh of out-of-date franchise processes, including a full rewrite of the operations manual and franchise agreements.

• Implemented annual business planning and network reviews, strengthening franchise support and compliance frameworks.
• Evaluated franchise offering viability and developed operational structure to enhance performance.

Built franchise recruitment structures from lead generation through to network onboarding.

• Covered franchisee support, commercial planning, business performance, systems, safeguarding and the wider franchise proposition.
• Conducted site visits and one-to-one business planning, prioritising centres most affected by the pandemic.
• Collaborated with a developer to create an automated booking system, providing head office with network overview and streamlined MSF collection.
• Led marketing planning, including introduction of a marketing levy in consultation with the network, and organised the annual conference.
• Advised company directors on business and financial planning, head office structure and personnel.
• Acted as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Swish Theatre Schools (April 2025 – April 2026)
• Theatretrain (October 2021 – June 2022)

• Led strategic execution of UK franchise expansion, developing the business model and analysing financial performance to double the number of sites and turnover in under two years.
• Created franchise model as General Manager, overseeing and managing franchising arm, leading team of six at Head Office.
• Oversaw expansion-related recruitment and staffing needs and strengthened franchise industry links.
• Identified new franchisees and business leads, authored and maintained Franchise Operations Manual and franchise agreements.
• Delivered franchise support and compliance through creation of minimum standards.
• Implemented network-wide spending from the marketing levy and conducted site visits and franchisee performance assessments.
• Liaised with solicitors and territory mappers; led Discovery Days, business reviews and the Annual Conference.
• Oversaw creative life cycle for each franchise, supporting franchisees throughout their journey.
• Created and managed a unique online booking and admin system; built supplier relationships and transparent stock systems.

• Managed 20 weekend performing arts schools, designed and led programmes, trained staff, and oversaw Head Office operations to ensure seamless execution of arts education.
• Developed registration and admin systems, managed venue bookings, and cultivated customer relationships to enhance operational efficiency.
• Created Jigsaw Jumpers pre-school programme, ran children's casting agency, and directed youth theatre productions to foster youth engagement in the arts.