Exemptions
■ companies employing only their owner where that employee also owns 50% or more of the issued share capital in the company.
The above is a direct quote from the HSE website. In Ian's case where he has franchisees each running their business' as independent LTD companies then EL insurance is NOT required.
Do you employ Darren? Or just use subcontractors? If you don't employ and are the sole director you may be costing yourself a few quid.
Ah, here's the difference between me & you bud-if you're only employing you-that's only you and by the looks of it might exempt you from the EL as you've described.
On paper, it's me and the wife employed. I'm (I think) manual (or something) director & she's clerical director.
So that's gonna move the goalposts a bit.
All I remember clearly was that at the time (April) I couldn't see a way round it, and I really did try.
Ah ok so there's 2 directors, same situation as me then. 
I still think my point is valid for Ian and his franchisees though. Ian?
It's valid in as much as because a franchise is a separate entity then franchisees are not employees, so the franchisor (me) is not an employer so the question of Employers Liability never arises in the first place.
As to the franchises being Ltd Companies, that makes no difference either. Only one of mine is Ltd, the rest are Sole Traders.