The Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) has announced significant leadership changes with Directors Richard Thame and Amber Manning taking on the roles of Chair and Deputy Chair respectively.
This fresh leadership team, along with the appointment of Jay Westbury as the new CEO effective 9 September, marks a new chapter for the FCA as it continues to support and advocate for the franchising industry.
Richard Thame brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience in franchised and national companies. His leadership roles at McDonald’s, Thrifty Car Rental, Fastway, Snap and CouriersPlease have given him a deep understanding of franchising operations, and his dedication to the sector is evident through his long-standing involvement with the FCA as the NSW Convenor of the FCA Chief Executive Syndicate. Mr Thame is passionate about shaping the public policy landscape and believes the FCA plays a critical role in the future of the franchising sector. He has been an FCA Director since October 2020.
Amber Manning is the game changing leader of a growing global business, and an entrepreneur who supports and mentors other entrepreneurs from all walks of life through the award winning Just Cuts franchise model that has stood the test of time after three decades of small business success. Under Ms Manning’s leadership, Just Cuts has evolved into the largest hairdressing company in the southern hemisphere, with over 230 salons globally employing over 3500 stylists across four markets. She has been an FCA Director since November 2022.
Jay Westbury brings over two decades of experience in leading peak industry bodies, including his previous roles as CEO of Retail Drinks Australia (formerly Australian Liquor Stores Association) and the Australian Travel Industry Association (formerly Australian Federation of Travel Agents). Both sectors have close ties to franchising, giving Mr Westbury a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within this industry.
Incoming FCA Chair Richard Thame says: “I’m honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal time for the franchising sector. On behalf of the Board and our members, I’d also like to thank Brendan Green for his outstanding contribution and leadership as FCA Chair and Tanya Robertson for her exceptional dedication and service as FCA’s Interim Chair.
“The FCA is delighted to welcome Jay as our CEO. This follows a rigorous recruitment process. Jay’s experience in both Australian and global markets, coupled with his successful track record in public policy, particularly in relation to the ACCC and Australian Consumer Law, makes him an exceptional choice for this role.
“I look forward to working with Amber, Jay, and the Board to keep the organisation relevant, fresh, and ready to meet the challenges ahead.”
Outgoing Chair Brendan Green said: “I am very grateful for the privilege of having been able to serve as Chair and I thank my fellow Directors and members for their support. Richard, Amber, and Jay bring fresh perspectives and a wealth of experience to their FCA roles. The FCA’s commitment to supporting franchisors and franchisees is unmatched and I’m confident the organisation will continue to thrive under their leadership and commitment to board renewal.
“A personal thank-you to Tanya whose impact as Interim CEO has been quite remarkable. Under her leadership and with the support of the highly dedicated FCA team, we have seen the successful rollout of State Conferences, strong partnership growth, stability of memberships and an impressive 23 networking events across all states.”
Jayson Westbury said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as the CEO of the FCA. Leading such an important and respected peak industry body is an honour. I look forward to meeting our members and broader stakeholders to support and advance the franchising ecosystem, helping businesses thrive while shaping the policy agenda for the future.”
Tanya Robertson said: “As I said at NFC when I first took on this role, FCA exists to serve our members through programmes that genuinely meet their needs, help solve their problems and contribute to their success. I am proud to have delivered on the three key areas I outlined as my priorities during my time as Interim CEO: engagement, value, and growth.
“I would like to thank all our FCA members for their ongoing support and active involvement. FCA has a critical role to play in ensuring Franchising continues to thrive and by working together we achieve so much more.”
