
Petpals inspires growth and success at annual conference
Petcare franchise Petpals recently held its annual conference in Hinckley, Leicestershire.
The event brought together franchisees for a day filled with expert advice, practical workshops, and celebrations.
The conference was hosted by Berkeley Harris, a former Royal Marine Commando and Franchise Director turned global trainer in sales, management, and leadership.
The day also featured a stellar line-up of speakers, each offering valuable insights tailored to the pet care industry. Phil Till, who has been running Petpals Basingstoke with his wife Alex for eight years, shared his expertise in developing the small pets side of the business.
Clinical Animal Behaviourist Claire Arrowsmith provided actionable advice on managing challenging pet behaviours, while Trevor Cooper, a leading Dog Law Solicitor, delved into the legal complexities facing pet care providers. Veterinary surgeon and pet first aid expert Sophie Bell completed the day with an engaging session on pet health and emergency care.
Practical sessions also provided franchisees with strategies to grow their businesses. David Gray, of Petpals Darlington, led a standout session on capitalising on the 1.5 million increase in cat ownership seen in 2024.
Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, said: “It’s always fantastic to see our franchisees under one roof, sharing ideas and learning from each other. Events like this remind us of the strength of the Petpals family and how important collaboration is for our continued success. This year’s conference captured the energy and ambition that will carry us through the year ahead.”
He added: “These sessions are designed to address real-world opportunities and challenges within our sector. Whether it’s tapping into the rising demand for cat care or navigating the complexities of dog law, we want our franchisees to feel confident and ready to meet the needs of pet owners in their communities.”
In addition, Petpals took time to celebrate the franchisees who have gone above and beyond over the past year. Awards were presented to recognise exceptional dedication, innovation and customer service.
Thackrah said: “Celebrating the passion and achievements of our franchisees is at the core of who we are as a business. Their hard work and commitment to delivering exceptional pet care inspire us all to continue raising the bar.”

