Ritchie Clarke

The Pets, Homes And Gardens Company

Franchise Director

Business Management, Franchisor

Hampshire And Isle Of Wight

+3 more

Dorset
Southampton
Wiltshire

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Danny's Story (Owner of PHG Haywards Heath)

After retiring, Danny Negus found himself more frustrated than fulfilled. Used to purpose and structure, he wasn’t sure what came next - until a conversation with his dog walker, Russ, changed everything. Russ mentioned he was retiring from his dog walking round, and after a few trial days with his wife, Danny discovered a new passion.

Despite initial nerves about stepping into a franchise, Danny was won over by the support of owners Ritchie and Amber. Before he’d even signed on, they took the time to explain everything in detail, answering questions with patience and clarity. That support didn’t stop after the purchase.

“Amber and Ritchie have been amazing,” Danny says. “The ideas, input, and communication are on a level I’ve never experienced in business before. I only wish I’d found this sooner.”

Now running his own round in Haywards Heath, Danny has never been happier. What started as a search for direction after retirement has turned into a second career full of fresh air, wagging tails, and genuine community.

Janis and John Byne (Owners of PHG Selsey)

We are John and Janis Byne and we run Pets, Homes & Gardens-Selsey, as a family business.
John runs his gardening business locally, and has a lovely list of clients. He takes a lot of pride in his work and has very happy customers. He concentrates on general gardening and garden design.

Janis runs the pet side of PHG-Selsey. She has lots of happy dogs that she walks regularly and visits cats in their homes for daily feeding, and lots of fusses. Housesitting is a big part of the business, looking after dogs and cats in their homes for owners when they are on holiday or away on business.

She also carries out a variety of other jobs, including looking after small furries, rabbits, hamsters and even livestock, such as chickens.

They have run PHG-Selsey since 2019, and have built up a very successful business which they both enjoy immensely.

Expertise

Pet Care Franchising
Franchise Business Ownership
Starting a Pet Care Business
Franchisee Training
Franchisee Onboarding
Franchisee Support
Franchisee Mentoring
Franchise Recruitment
Franchise Selection
Pet Care Business Management
Dog Walking Businesses
Pet Sitting Businesses
Reputation &Review Management
Pet Care Standards
Pet Care Compliance
Pet Care Franchise Ownership
Starting a Pet Care Franchise
Running a Pet Care Franchise
Pet Care Franchise Launches
Pet Care Business Operations
Pet Care Business Systems
Pet Care Business Marketing
Building a Pet Care Business
Pet Care Customer Acquisition
Pet Care Customer Retention
Pet Care Service Development
Cat Care Services
Small Pet Care Services
Rabbit and Guinea Pig Boarding
Professional Pet Care Standard
Dog Walking Business Operation
Group Dog Walking Management
Dog Walking Logistics
Dog Walking Vehicle Setup
Pet Sitting Operations

Summary

My wife, Amber, and I are Franchise Directors at The Pets, Homes & Gardens Company. We’re looking for animal lovers who want to work hands-on with pets, running their own dog walking and pet sitting business with full support behind them.

We launched PHG Southampton in 2018 and built it into one of the area’s top-rated pet care businesses before acquiring the franchise company in 2025. Because we still run our own local business, the support we provide is backed by first-hand experience of attracting customers, building a fantastic reputation and managing a profitable pet care business.

Experience

The Pets, Homes And Gardens Company

Franchise Director
1 - 5 Employees 2025 - Current

Since acquiring The Pets, Homes & Gardens Company in 2025, Amber and I have been proud to lead this established, family-run franchise with integrity, pride and a real sense of shared purpose. We help animal lovers become their own boss and launch a hands-on dog walking and pet sitting business, backed by a proven model and full support at every stage.

We personally oversee the entire journey, from preparing each new franchisee for launch to training, marketing, operational systems and ongoing tailored support.

Having joined PHG as franchisees ourselves, and continuing to run PHG Southampton today, we understand the experience from both sides. Every franchisee receives direct support from us, while also benefiting from the experience and encouragement of their fellow PHG business owners. Each person has the freedom to run their business in a way which works for them within the PHG model, meaning everyone brings their own valuable ideas and perspective. That willingness to share knowledge, experience and practical advice is one of the greatest strengths of the PHG family as a whole.
Pets, Homes & Gardens Southampton

Franchisee/ Pet Care Business Owner
1 - 5 Employees 2018 - Current

My wife, Amber, and I proudly joined The Pets, Homes & Gardens Company as franchisees in 2018, launching PHG Southampton. After building it into one of Southampton’s top-rated dog walking and pet sitting businesses, we acquired the wider franchise in 2025. We have therefore experienced both sides of the PHG brand first-hand, initially as franchisees and now as franchisors. We still proudly run PHG Southampton to this very day, as this allows us to provide cutting-edge support to all of our franchisees.

Our roles in PHG Southampton cover every part of the business, from attracting customers and delivering exceptional pet care to managing complex dog walking schedules, secure-field walks, safe pet transport, vehicle setup, cat visits and small-pet care. This depth of hands-on experience allows us to give new PHG business owners practical, tailored support grounded in the same methods and standards that have helped us build PHG Southampton into the business it is today.

Education History

Tourism Management

Bournemouth University
2008 - 2012

I graduated from Bournemouth University with a First-Class BA (Hons) degree in Tourism Management and was named Best Undergraduate Tourism Student in 2012. The course combined wider business and management principles with real examples from the tourism industry, helping me develop the commercial awareness, analytical thinking and methodical approach I now bring to running and growing a business. It gave me an excellent foundation in understanding customers, making informed decisions and turning strong ideas into successful operations.

Qualifications

I hold a First-Class BA (Hons) degree in Tourism Management from Bournemouth University, which I describe as a business degree with tourism examples. I was also named Best Undergraduate Tourism Student in 2012. I have always had a strong head for business and have been fascinated by the business world for as long as I can remember.

I also hold a double A level in Travel and Tourism and achieved 11 GCSEs at grades A* to C. Travel remains a huge passion of mine and something Amber and I love to enjoy whenever we have the opportunity.

Alongside my academic background, I hold several professional pet care qualifications, including:

Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Diploma
Pet Nutrition Diploma
Canine Communication Diploma
Pet First Aid Qualification

Clubs and Associations

We are proud members of the Pet Industry Federation, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Quality Franchise Association. These respected memberships reflect our commitment to high standards across professional pet care, responsible business ownership and franchising, while keeping us closely connected with best practice and the wider business community.