What-Franchise-Issue-20.3

JAMES RIMMER Franchisee for ERA Group EMEA Before becoming an ERA franchisee in April 2021, I spent 20 years in NHS management, including 10 years as CFO, as well as serving as an Audit Committee Chair in the university and charity sectors. Managing budgets of £2.6-2.7bn, I was used to big numbers and high pressure. In the NHS, the focus is always on doing more with less – there’s never a point where you can say, “That’s enough.” I’d toyed with the idea of running my own business, but it felt like a big risk. One NHS organisational restructure too many gave me the push I needed. Franchising struck the perfect balance, offering the backing of an established model with the freedom to build a business of my own. Nearly four years on, it’s clear I made the right decision.What I love about ERA is the autonomy. I didn’t want a rigid setup where I was handed a client list and told to follow a set process. Having the freedom to develop my own client base and strategy was important to me. While I work with businesses across the UK, I’ve built strong connections in my home county of Hampshire through local networking events like those run by the Chamber of Commerce.When you build relationships, referrals naturally follow. I also have clients inYorkshire and Manchester, so I’m not geographically limited, but local connections tend to develop more organically. Good consultancy is all about communication. In my NHS days, the best consultants I worked with could break down complex ideas in simple terms, and I aim to do the same. I make sure my clients hear fromme at least once a month, whether it’s a project update or something relevant to their industry. Formal quarterly reports are important, but regular touchpoints keep relationships strong. I also try to visit clients in person whenever possible. It strengthens relationships and gives me a better understanding of their business firsthand. Since we specialise in cost reduction, being on-site often reveals efficiencies that aren’t obvious from the numbers alone. When researching franchises, I looked into Sandler, ActionCOACH, and TaxAssist. None were quite the right fit for me as an investor, but that early research paid off later. As a new business owner, areas like sales were completely new to me, so when I needed sales training, I went to Sandler. When I needed an accountant, I turned to TaxAssist. And when I needed a business coach, I chose ActionCOACH.Working with James Burke as my ActionCOACH has been invaluable – he is world- class and has helped me accelerate my business growth.We focus on the next quarter’s goals, review what worked (and what didn’t) in the previous quarter, and stay clear on my long-term objectives. Having that structure has been a game-changer. In the past two years, my business has grown by around 200%. If that continues, I’ll need to bring in support. Right now, my time is the limiting factor, but ERA’s model is fantastic because I don’t have to run every project alone. If a client needs a fuel cost review, for example, I collaborate with the team’s fuel specialists. One challenge is overcoming the assumption that companies have already done all they can to cut costs. A business might say, “We’ve already looked at that,” when, in reality, they’ve shaved off 1% and assumed that’s the best they can do. But our process is different. Take distribution, for example – our team knows the best suppliers and the right processes to get the best deal.When businesses let us review just one invoice, we can often either validate that they’re getting the right prices or uncover opportunities they hadn’t considered. In many cases, that leads to a 15-20% cost improvement without compromising service. Whoever joins ERA needs to bring a professional mindset. This is a consultancy role where you’re a trusted advisor. You need to manage conflicting priorities, juggle multiple projects, and, ultimately, deliver results for clients. For me, that’s the most rewarding part of the job.Whether I’m working with a mid-sized manufacturer or a multi-million-pound corporation, the goal is the same – finding value where they didn’t think it existed. Seeing those results and knowing I’ve made a meaningful impact makes all the hard work worthwhile. Looking ahead, I know there’s still so much potential to grow, and with the right support, the business will continue to evolve. The learning never stops – but that’s exactly what keeps it exciting! As an ERA Group franchisee, James Rimmer helps businesses uncover hidden cost savings and enhance financial efficiency, leveraging his 20 years of NHS management experience and expertise in overseeing multi-billion- pound budgets. Combining strategic consultancy with hands- on collaboration, James works closely with clients across the UK to identify cost-saving opportunities, streamline operations, and deliver measurable financial improvements – all while maintaining the high service standards businesses rely on. “Whether I’mworking with a mid-sized manufacturer or a multi-million-pound corporation, the goal is the same – finding value where they didn’t think it existed. Seeing those results is so satisfying” 59 WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM Interv iew | FEATURE