CHIPS People
DON McCABE
JOINT MD
Joint Managing Director of Chipsworld Ltd and CHIPS Franchise Ltd, Don teamed up with Nik after they met in the mid-1980s.
Don is jointly in charge of all aspects of both companies. His main areas of expertise are buying & stock management, the EPOS system & finance. He is also actively involved in franchise recruitment, site acquisition and supply of stock to all CHIPS franchises.
NIK AGAR
JOINT MD
Joint Managing Director of Chipsworld Ltd and CHIPS Franchise Ltd, Nik formed CHIPS with Don McCabe in the mid-1980s at the birth of the video games industry.
Nik is jointly in charge of all aspects of both companies. His main areas of expertise lie in marketing, www.chipsworld.co.uk; CHIPS branding & image, franchise recruitment and commissioning & overseeing the opening of new CHIPS stores across the country.
DEBRA McCABE
FRANCHISE AND MARKETING MANAGER
Debra joined CHIPS at the birth of CHIPS Franchise Ltd in the late 1990s and has helped to build awareness of the CHIPS brand across the country. She is responsible for marketing & public relations; exhibitions; conferences and assists the joint MDs in promoting and recruiting new franchisees.
JULIE WAITES
FRANCHISE CONSULTANT
Julie's expertise in franchising has proved invaluable to CHIPS. A partner in The Franchise Company, affiliated to the British Franchise Association, she advises CHIPS on all aspects of franchising and is a key figure in the selection and opening of all franchises. Each potential franchisee will meet Julie when they reach Stage Two of the recruitment process.
KEITH SCARR
FRANCHISE MENTOR
Keith is one of the first people prospective franchisees meet on their first visit to CHIPS. A franchise veteran, Keith opened CHIPS pilot store in Bishop Auckland and ran it successfully for five years before taking on the role of franchise mentor within the CHIPS network. Keith carries out store visits and provides telephone support to franchises on a mentoring basis.
MARTIN GILLSON
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Martin is responsible for operations within all CHIPS stores, both franchise and company-owned. As a former store manager and area manager, Martin has a wealth of experience opening and managing stores. He is responsible for the on-site training of all new franchisees and also visits new franchise outlets in the initial weeks of trading. He is also available by telephone to answer any operational queries from staff and franchisees alike.
ANDREW BURDIS
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Andrew joined CHIPS in 2004 and is responsible for operations at all company stores and franchises. He also advises franchisees, carries out store visits, shop openings and is available to give advice on all operational matters.
GORDON BRANDON
GENERAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Gordon joined CHIPS in 2004 and works specifically on all matters relating to CHIPS Franchise Ltd, particularly franchise accounts. He also works alongside Steve Preston on general administration.
PHIL HEATH
WAREHOUSE AND WEBSITE MANAGER
Phil is often the first point of contact for franchisees as he is in charge of the warehouse which handles thousands of items of stock each week. Phil is also responsible for the transfer of data between HQ and all CHIPS stores across the UK. He also oversees operations within www.chipsworld.co.uk, the company's e-commerce site. He would also like us to point out he makes a mean cup of tea!
STEVE MORTON
CHIPS TRAINER
After working for CHIPS since leaving school, Steve left his post as Area Manager and opened CHIPS Hartlepool as a franchisee. He and Ibby share the training of all new CHIPS franchisees. Steve is also quite an expert in the EPOS system and is on hand to offer advice to all franchisees on a daily basis.
IBBY HUSSAIN
CHIPS TRAINER
Ibby joined CHIPS in the late 1980s and is a former CHIPS Operations Manager. In September 2004 he became a franchisee and acquired CHIPS Stockton from Chipsworld Ltd. Ibby has been retained as a trainer and passes on his expertise to new franchisees at his store in Silver Street. He is always available by telephone to offer advice.