At the November Franchise Council of Australia, equivalent of the Franchise Association of New Zealand , Board meeting in Adelaide last week, the Board elected a new Chairman, and, for the first time, two deputies to lead the FCA into 2009.
George Yammouni, founder of Melbourne-based nationwide franchise Bathroom Werx, was appointed chairman of the FCA for the next two years.
The board also elected two deputy chairs – Franchisee representative Tony Melhem and Women in Franchising representative Diana Williams.
Mr Melhem is a two-time FCA Franchisee of the Year and is a franchisee at two franchise systems. Ms Williams is the founder of award-winning national and international women’s health club group, Fernwood and is the first woman to have been elevated to the Franchise Hall of Fame, the sector’s top honour.
Mr Yammouni has been a member of the FCA board for the past 6 years, deputy chair for the past two years and is a former president of the Victorian chapter of the FCA. Mr Yammouni takes the place of retiring chairman John O’Brien (CEO of PoolWerx).
Mr Yammouni said he was honoured to have been elected chairman of the FCA, especially at an important time in its development.
“2009 is going to be a very important year for franchising, and a very difficult one for small business generally as we go into some of the most difficult economic circumstances in living memory,” he said.
“We need to do our utmost to ensure there are no new obstacles thrown up against small business in this challenging period, and especially for franchising, where we have the strictest operating rules of anywhere in the world. I will do my utmost to ensure Governments, regulators and finance providers - including our major banks - continue to acknowledge the very positive contribution franchising makes to economic growth and its strong contribution to Commonwealth tax revenues and compliance. In return, franchising should be encouraged by Governments and regulators, so that it can do what it has in the past – keep business investment rolling when many businesses are closing their purses, or their doors.”
George Yammouni BIO – B.Bus.Stud., CPA. Previously Deputy Chairman and Finance Director of the FCA and member of the Executive Committee. Immediate past President of the Victorian State Chapter (2003 – 2006) Board member since 2003. Elected as Independent Director in 2006. CEO of Bathroom Werx since 1986 - a national service franchise system specialising in Bathroom makeovers.