Franchise Council of Australia refreshes leadership, continues policy of inclusive representation

A new Chairman and Deputy Chair have been appointed to the board of the Franchise Council of Australia , with the franchise advisory body reaffirming its focus on inclusive representation for its three membership categories.

The board has elected Stephen Giles, of Norton Rose, to lead the FCA for the next two years, following the conclusion of George Yammouni’s tenure as Chairman.

A partner at Norton Rose and chair of the FCA Legal Committee, Stephen has been involved in the franchising sector for over twenty years, and has been an FCA director for the past twelve. Last year he was inducted into the Franchising Hall of Fame.

Stephen was elected to the position of Chairman at a board meeting in Sydney on Friday, where he led the board in thanking George Yammouni for his dedicated efforts in leading the FCA over the past two years.

Stephen says that he intends to focus his energies as Chairman on credibility within the FCA and member engagement, continuing with the theme of driving best practice and lifting standards across the sector in the interests of franchisors, franchisees and suppliers.

Education initiatives will be an ongoing focus, with major operational projects planned that will include research and initiatives on franchisee success and adoption of a retail tenancy code aimed at providing a more transparent environment for franchisee lessees.

A new Deputy Chair has also been appointed to the board of the franchise advisory body. Michael Paul is the CEO and founder of the 2007 Franchise System of the Year, Pack & Send, and has been a member of the FCA board since 2008, drawing on his sixteen years of experience within the franchising sector.

Based in Sydney, Michael will be joined by franchisee Tony Melhem, who was reappointed as Deputy Chair of the FCA. Tony has held this position for the past two years, and has been a member of the board for the past four.