The Journey of a Franchise

Douglas Shirrefs, Barrister, Owen Dixon Chambers (West)

About the Presenter:

Mr Shirrefs was admitted in 2003 and is a member of the Tasmanian Bar, the Victorian Bar and Greens List. He is a qualified economist and company director and has worked in senior roles for ACCC. Doug has a diverse commercial practice. He accepts briefs to appear and advice in commercial disputes in all jurisdictions, regularly appearing in mediations, applications and hearings. He is regularly briefed in franchising matters for both franchisees and franchisors, including: advising franchisors on commercial arrangements; competition law compliance strategies; and in relation to disputes, including the provisions of the Franchising Code.

Doug’s expertise in the regulatory space includes frequently acting for parties who are investigated or prosecuted by the ACCC for: anti-competitive conduct including price fixing, cartel conduct and alleged misuse of market power; allegations of misleading conduct; and alleged breaches of statutory warranties.

Jordan Smith, Company Secretary, Collective Wellbeing Group

About the Presenter:

Mr Jordan Smith currently serves as the Company Secretary for Collective Wellness Group, which is franchisor to over 550 franchised fitness businesses in Australia. He also chairs the group’s Risk and Finance Committees, and he is also a franchisee of several franchised gym businesses. Previously, Jordan has held executive roles with multiple franchisors, including serving as Chief Operating Officer of Little Zak’s Academy, a franchised childcare chain, as well as COO of Collective Wellness Group. Jordan is also a practising lawyer. He commenced his legal career in private practice, initially in Hobart and later in Melbourne, before transitioning in-house to General Counsel. Jordan also currently serves as Director & Chair of Young Voice Foundation, a charitable public ancillary fund, and he acts as consulting advisor to several franchisor boards on their strategy & operations. 

Kristie Piniuta, Director of the Small Business and Industry Codes Team, ACCC

About the Presenter:

Ms Kristie Piniuta, has been the Director of the Small Business & Industry Codes team at the ACCC for 5 years. The team focuses on education, engagement and compliance activities to assist small business and industry better understand their rights and obligations under the Competition and Consumer Act and many of the mandatory industry codes (particularly, Franchising Code and Food and Grocery Code). Kristie’s team also works closely with the ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh including by providing the secretariat function for the Small Business and Franchising Consultative Committee (SBFCC) meetings. Prior to joining the ACCC, she was a director of a small commercial law firm and worked in various legal roles, including as General Counsel and Company Secretary for a fast growing franchise brand. Currently, Kristie has taken up a short term role as acting Executive Director of the Consumers Branch at the Australian Energy Regulator.

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About the Presenter: