About Us
A reputation for excellence
Red Herring Games was launched in 2007 by Jo Smedley, who had been writing murder mystery games for friends and selling them via another platform for several years. Today the firm is an international success story with thousands of people each year playing “whodunit games”, solving murders or mystery only games at work, at home and at events across the UK and overseas.
Red Herring Games are the market leader in the murder mystery field offering a variety of event formats and themes unparalleled in the industry. With a vast array of “off the peg” scripts and the ability to customise and write in-house – they have netted major clients, brand activation events and corporate bookings in all corners of the globe.
Once Covid-19 jolted the UK economy, some businesses struggled. Red Herring Games, however, continued to thrive moving events on-line overnight. The digital version of their events has proven to be even more popular with 400% more bookings since lockdown began in March 2020. Franchising had been on Jo’s mind for some time and with the business booming both before, during and after lockdown, the decision to franchise the business was taken. Jo appointed renowned franchise consulting firm the Lime Licensing Group to help her to create the franchise system in the summer of 2020.
From rubbing shoulders with ministers in Downing Street and BBC Dragon Theo Paphitis, not to mention numerous awards such as Small Business 100, Small Awards and Ann Summers founder Jacqueline Gold CBE #WOW, it has been a remarkable decade in business. Red Herring Games has been headhunted to provide scripts to the Agatha Christie Foundation’s 125th Celebratory Year and CrimeCon Festival in the USA, and already works in tandem with a number of accommodation suppliers across the UK providing events for VIP clients
The franchise format has been carefully road tested over many years with Jo and her team working in a remarkably similar fashion to a franchisee. The franchise format has been designed with this in mind and the result is an all inclusive franchise blueprint designed by leading events and franchising professionals. The franchise is also underpinned by a substantial inventory of games and scripts, props, existing clients and actors ready to work for and with you. Put simply, if you’re in the market for a high performing franchise in a fast growing market place then this is the opportunity that you have been waiting for.
A personal message from our founder and Managing Director,
Jo Smedley
“I took the plunge and started Red Herring several years ago. It was an anxious time so I fully understand the concerns of launching a new business. However, by joining us now you’ll be in a very different position to my own startup situation. Red Herring Games is a very well established brand with some amazing blue chip clients and a great reputation. Our games are played out in businesses, hotels and homes all around the world. You’ll be starting from a real position of strength with all the lessons I’ve learned over many years in this business built in from Day 1. I want you to succeed and as a small business mentor and champion, I’m here to help with business mentoring throughout the length of your franchise.
We know exactly what you need to create your own successful business with our brand and we’ll provide a comprehensive franchise package to help you when you join us. We have an excellent Head Office team, have invested heavily in our brand and we have taken the time to road test our new franchise. We’re confident that our blueprint will deliver strong profits for our franchisees with the flexibility that provides that elusive work/life balance.”
Meet Our Team
We have a whole team of staff ready to support you in your new venture who’ve all been there, done it and got the t-shirt. We’re only a phone call away and ready to help.
Jo Smedley
Jo is an award winning crime author, founder of Red Herring Games and a National Small Business Champion for Small Business Saturday. She has written unique events for the Agatha Christie Festival, Crime Con and many, many more private and corporate clients. With over 15 years of experience designing murder mystery games and events to suit a wide variety of settings, Jo remains friendly and approachable with all her customers and has the experience and tenacity to lead an internationally recognised murder mystery firm. She’s looking forward to creating a wider experienced team through franchising and is keen to help others succeed in their business ventures.
Della Brett
Della has been working for Red Herring Games for over five years. She began as an actress and stage manager and has headed up the events department since 2017 providing 1-2-1 support and a friendly personal point of contact for customers, actors and franchise holders alike. She has a background in marketing, is a proficient networker and is keen to help others succeed in achieving their event objectives.
Keiron
Keiron Boswell is the newest member of the events team. He has brought a unique set of digital creative skills to bear within the firm, working on digital marketing and video integration to support our increasing range of virtual events. Keiron has cut his teeth on events within the last year, supplying 1-2-1 support for customers and developing gift pack options for unique private and corporate events.
Meet Our Team
We have a whole team of staff ready to support you in your new venture who’ve all been there, done it and got the t-shirt. We’re only a phone call away and ready to help.
Jo Smedley
Jo is an award winning crime author, founder of Red Herring Games and a National Small Business Champion for Small Business Saturday. She has written unique events for the Agatha Christie Festival, Crime Con and many, many more private and corporate clients. With over 15 years of experience designing murder mystery games and events to suit a wide variety of settings, Jo remains friendly and approachable with all her customers and has the experience and tenacity to lead an internationally recognised murder mystery firm. She’s looking forward to creating a wider experienced team through franchising and is keen to help others succeed in their business ventures.
Della Brett
Della has been working for Red Herring Games for over five years. She began as an actress and stage manager and has headed up the events department since 2017 providing 1-2-1 support and a friendly personal point of contact for customers, actors and franchise holders alike. She has a background in marketing, is a proficient networker and is keen to help others succeed in achieving their event objectives.
Keiron
Keiron Boswell is the newest member of the events team. He has brought a unique set of digital creative skills to bear within the firm, working on digital marketing and video integration to support our increasing range of virtual events. Keiron has cut his teeth on events within the last year, supplying 1-2-1 support for customers and developing gift pack options for unique private and corporate events.
