Two recruitment firms have high hopes of success in the Franchisor of the Year Awards.

Driver Hire, based in Bingley, Yorkshire, is up for the HSBC award for Enterprise, which recognises the franchisor with the most creative business strategy.

The firm supplies of commercial vehicle drivers. It was also on the shortlist for the top franchisor category.

Driver Hire is the UK's largest provider of temporary and permanent drivers and logistics-related staff to the private and public sectors. It has 70 franchisees and posted a turnover of more than £73m last year.

Chief executive Chris Chadley said: “We are delighted. The theme of planning is central to our business planning process.”

London-based Antal, a global executive recruitment consultancy has been shortlisted under the Express Newspapers Brand Builder category in this year's awards.

Launched in 2002, Antal has 56 franchised outlets, with a further 14 planned for this year. Franchisor turnover has passed £275,000, while the network figure for 2005 was £1.25m. The company is being recognised for

strengthening its brand through the development of a global network that shares information, experience, fees, clients and candidates freely, across all borders.

The awards will be held at London's Savoy Hotel on Thursday 18 May.

The awards, sponsored by the Daily Express and HSBC, are designed to highlight the UK's best performing franchisors in a booming industry, now employing more than 327,000 people and worth an annual £10bn to the UK economy.