Dmitriy Minaker and Svetlana Minakoff Recognized for Outstanding Leadership, Business Success, and Meaningful Community Contributions
NEW YORK — British Swim School of Manhattan, a leading “learn to swim” provider, is named by Franchise Business Review as a 2025 Franchise Rock Star Award winner. Husband-and-wife franchise owners Dmitriy Minaker and Svetlana Minakoff are being recognized by Franchise Business Review, a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector, for exemplifying outstanding leadership within their communities and franchise system, serving as exceptional brand ambassadors, and inspiring others as mentors.
“We’re honored and grateful to be named Franchise Rock Star Award winners — an incredible recognition of our passion for making an impact in our community every day,” said Dmitriy Minaker, co-owner of British Swim School of Manhattan. “With summer in full swing and recent heat waves driving more families to the pool, it’s more important than ever to prioritize water safety. Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4, underscoring the urgent need to raise awareness and protect young lives around water.”
Dmitriy and Svetlana have been making a splash in their community for four years, but their journey with British Swim School began even earlier as customers. Inspired by the program’s mission and business model, they became franchisees, turning their personal experience into a passionate commitment to water safety. Led by a team of skilled aquatics professionals, British Swim School of Manhattan delivers a results-driven curriculum that equips students of all ages and abilities with essential water skills.
“Running British Swim School with my husband isn’t just a business decision — it’s a shared passion and a deeply personal journey for both of us. Before starting the business, we were already involved in the world of swimming through our two children, who swim competitively. Our oldest is ranked among the top 100 swimmers nationwide. As a family-run operation, we’re committed to offering the highest quality swim instruction in New York City. Our incredible team of staff and instructors, who go above and beyond every day, are a big part of what makes that possible,” said Svetlana Minakoff, co-owner of British Swim School of Manhattan.
Earlier this year, Dmitriy and Svetlana were honored by Mayor Eric Adams and the City of New York with a Certificate of Recognition for their vital contributions to water survival education and public safety. British Swim School of Manhattan was the only swim school among 27 in New York City to receive this honor, highlighting the team’s exceptional dedication to setting the gold standard in the community. The swim school was also named one of the Top 10 Baby Swimming Schools in New York City by Trusted Analytical.
“We’re fortunate to have franchisees like Dmitriy and Svetlana, whose values and vision align so seamlessly with those of British Swim School,” said Ashley Gundlach, President of British Swim School. “They truly embody franchise excellence — from creating a positive, high-performing culture to driving continuous improvement and innovation. Their leadership has helped British Swim School of Manhattan remain at the forefront of both customer experience and operational performance.”
For more than 40 years, British Swim School has been committed to drowning prevention. Most recently, it became the first full swim school franchise to partner with Stop Drowning Now, a nonprofit dedicated to saving lives through water safety education.
For more information on British Swim School’s programs, including its latest summer sessions, and to book a lesson, visit BritishSwimSchool.com/Manhattan or call (212) 466-6622. Follow British Swim School on Facebook and Instagram.
About British Swim School
British Swim School, the nation’s most established swim school franchise, with over 40 years in business, believes that every individual, regardless of age or ability, should have the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer. Offering lessons for babies, children, and adults, the brand is dedicated to its mantra, “Survival of the Littlest,” focusing first on the survival skills needed to survive a water accident, then moving on to stroke development and more advanced skills. Not only does British Swim Schools give peace of mind to countless families who seek the essential life skills the brand offers their children, but the purpose-driven franchise also offers an exceptional opportunity for entrepreneurs who seek a fulfilling business venture with a sound foundation, low investment, and an easily scalable model. Part of the Buzz Franchise Brands family, British Swim School currently operates over 500 schools across the United States and Canada. For more information about British Swim School, visit www.britishswimschool.com.
About Franchise Business Review
Franchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures the satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and franchise employees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,300 leading franchise companies. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at http://www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. To read our publications, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/publications/.
SOURCE British Swim School