International Women’s Day

8th March 2023


We know women can do it all, but sometimes the world needs reminding!

Even in 2023, there remains a stark disparity in women occupying senior positions in the workplace; with women making up only 30% of leadership roles in the UK, according to a recent LinkedIn report*.

At Petpals we are proud ambassadors of EWIF (Encouraging Women In Franchising) and we currently have a 54% majority of female-owned franchises in our network.

We’ve helped female entrepreneurs from all walks of life start their own businesses, from ex-servicewomen to IT directors, culminating in a diverse and inclusive network. One thing our franchisees all have in common is a desire to be their own boss and a love of working with animals.

Hear from some of our inspiring female franchisees:

Meet Clare Stafford, owner of Petpals Fleet.


Former database analyst, Clare, has been on an incredible 20-year journey with Petpals. After a successful career with global businesses such as Zurich Insurance, Clare was made redundant in 2002. However, instead of returning to the corporate world, she felt she was ready for an exciting new venture – investing in Petpals Fleet.
“I was one of the first dog walking businesses in the Fleet area, and to this day I have a local reputation of being a great place to go for pet-care. Being a franchisee has changed my life in every way. It’s improved my confidence massively, and I have proved to myself I can run my own business. I have a loyal client base who respect me, and I know I can truly be myself at Petpals.”

Meet Sharren Redmond, owner of Petpals Sefton.


Former digital forensic and cybersecurity expert, Sharren embarked on an exciting career that led to her spending over 20 years implementing vital software for the British police force, including innovative forensic and cybersecurity systems. However, after being made redundant in December 2018, Sharren felt that she was ready for an exciting new challenge and launched Petpals Sefton.

“After leaving my corporate career, I knew I wanted a career and lifestyle change that encompassed my love of being outdoors, keeping fit and my passion for animals. It’s a physical job, but very rewarding. I now have a fleet of vans outside of my house, and it is amazing to have built something so significant.”

Sharren has grown Petpals Sefton into a hugely successful business, and her efforts were rewarded by winning the Great British Franchisee Award in 2022.

Meet Nancy Edwards, owner of Petpals Camberley & West Woking.

Experienced Formula One events and communications specialist Nancy Edwards has been on an action-packed road to success. During her exhilarating career, Nancy has had successful pitstops in almost every major sector since she set off on her business career in the late 90s. Her career took an exciting course when she invested in her own Petpals franchise. “When the opportunity arose to invest in Petpals Camberley & West Woking, it seemed like the perfect fit. Not only did it suit my love of pets, but it also meant that I could use my business acumen to make a difference.”

So here’s to all of our fabulous female franchisees defying the odds and achieving great success in business on International Women’s day!

*LinkedIn – Workforce data and research report 2022.


If you would like to find out more about franchising with Petpals then visit our Franchise Opportunities page.