Driver Hire, a professional supplier of commercial vehicle drivers, has won top prize in the annual Franchisor of the Year Awards.

Sir Bernard Ingham, president of the British Franchise Association, presented Chris Chidley, chief executive of Driver Hire, with the winner’s trophy at a gala luncheon at London’s Savoy Hotel last week.

Driver Hire, based in Bingley, Yorkshire, says it anticipated changes in market demand due to new legislation.

The company started up in 1983 and sold its first franchise in 1988. There are now 70 franchisees, with 106 outlets, which had a turnover of more than £73m last year.