A Cumbrian theatre school has been named among the best in the UK in prestigious industry awards.
Razzamataz Theatre Schools won two categories in the bfa HSBC Franchise Awards – Cumbrian principal was Asha Richardson was named Lifestyle Franchisee while Razzamataz won the Lifestyle Franchisor title.
Asha Richardson runs Razzamataz South Lakes, which has schools in Penrith, Kendal and Appleby.
Asha was 23 when she started to work as a teacher for Razzamataz Penrith and took it over mid-pandemic. She says in just over two-and-a-half years, the business has grown by 700 per cent.
At just 28, Asha has also piloted new services, supported and mentored one of her teachers into a franchise partner role, is an active member of the Razzamataz Franchise Advisory Council and All Stars Academy, offers countless opportunities for her students, gives back to her local community and has her own charity in Ghana.
Gillian Morris, head of franchising at HSBC said: “This lady has taken her franchise, made it her own and inspired others to do the same. She is a mentor in the franchisee community, she champions diversity within her business and is piloting an exciting new concept for her franchisor. She does it while juggling a young family and still manages to spend six weeks in Ghana supporting her own charity.”
