FCA chair announces new franchisee forum
“The concept of ‘inclusiveness’ is the overarching theme for the FCA Board moving forward. There is a need for the FCA to better engage and include all stakeholders – franchisors, franchisees, consultants, government, bankers, educators, international guests and students into decision-making and strategic planning,” O’Brien said.
Formalised at the FCA’s AGM this week, Tony Melhem of Gloria Jean’s Coffees (dual NSW/ACT PwC Franchisee of the Year) will take a seat on the FCA Board (non-voting) and act as the Franchisee Forum Chairman.
The new Franchisee Forum has FCA nominated representatives in each state/territory and will be the formal ‘voice’ of the over 72,000 franchisees of Australia to the FCA Board. These regional representatives are: NSW/ACT Garry Richards (Worldwide Printing ) & Tony Melhem (Gloria Jean’s Coffees , VIC/TAS Nader Seifen (La Porchetta), QLD/NT Mace Liversidge (Donut King ), SA Jock Dean (Mr Carports) with a WA rep yet to be nominated.
O’Brien added that the Franchisee Forum has been a long time coming.
“Formalised representation for franchisees through the FCA has been discussed in various forms since 2002. This decision by the FCA Board is history in the making with only four other countries around the world having similar levels of franchisee representation within industry association structures. For the first time, the FCA will be truly harnessing the power of franchising by using the collective experience of franchisees and franchisors lobbying group. There is a plan to move forward including a plan to survey franchisees to find out the mood of the collective voice throughout the country – we feel this is very important in the current climate and a Federal election year.
In a further initiative to push for equality and inclusiveness, the Whirlwind Women in Franchising (WWIF) Forum has formed a new structure providing for a nominated representative to have a full seat on the FCA Board. Diana Williams, recently named the first woman in the FCA Franchise Hall of Fame, is this representative and will report back to the WWIF Forum on a regular basis.
The National Franchise Convention (NFC07) is the Franchise Council of Australia’s annual event bringing the Australian franchise community together with a range of keynote speakers including successful businesspeople, government officials and industry professionals to enjoy education, networking and business development opportunities.
Franchising in Australia represents a dynamic and entrepreneurial small business sector contributing equivalent sales of 14 percent of Australia’s GDP, with franchises employing some 600,000 Australians within over 72,000 workplaces. The FCA represents this large part of the economy and is a key voice in small business.
19.11.2007
FCA Member
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