Australia
13 August 2007
Richard Evans, the chief executive of Australia's largest franchising body, has resigned to take up a position as executive director with the Australian Retailers Association, replacing David Edwards.
Mr Evans, a former lobbyist, is expected to spearhead a new focused approach for the ARA, which has been seen to have lost its edge due to political infighting, as it ramps up campaigns on industrial relations and retail tenancy leases. He has been at the FCA since 2002.
Announcing the resignation today, FCA chairman John O'Brien said Mr Evans had overseen ''the redevelopment of the FCA from an event management organisation to be a truly representative body of the Australian franchise sector and spokesperson for small business issues''.
''In addition, Evans has worked hard within the political arena to ensure the franchise sector is represented and recognised and in particular with the Australian Government's Matthews Inquiry into the Franchising Code of Conduct," Mr O'Brien said.
The Federal Government expected to introduce its planned amendments to the Franchising Code of Conduct this month.
A search to find a suitable candidate to fill the newly-created role of executive director of the FCA will begin immediately. An external agency will be appointed to manage the recruitment process.
Source :
www.smallbusiness.smh.com.au
