Stephen Giles was due to retire at the next AGM under the FCAโs Constitution but decided to bring it forward to allow the Board time to appoint a suitable replacement.
Stephen will remain involved in assisting the executive team on industry policy matters and submissions whenever required. Stephen has been involved in the Franchise Council of Australia almost since the inception of the organisation and has been elected to a wide number of voluntary positions.
He has been FCA Board Chairman on 3 separate occasions totalling over 12 years, Victorian Chapter President for 4 years, Chair of the Ethics Committee, Chair of the Legal Committee, Treasurer of the FCA Conference Committee and an FCA Board member for 25 years. He was awarded the FCA Outstanding Contribution to Franchising Award in 1986, 2003, 2006, and his service to the sector was acknowledged in 2009 when he was inducted into the Australian Franchising Hall of Fame.
In 2023 Stephen was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his service to small business, community organisations and charitable fundraising.
Stephen brought to the Board not only extensive practical experience representing franchisors, franchisees and other business clients but the deep technical knowledge gained from writing franchise industry texts and publications.
We thank Stephen for his outstanding contribution to the FCA Board, which will be more formally acknowledged in the coming months.