Four Australian retail services consultancies have announced a merger into a new consultancy Business Development Company (BDC)
The four are Retail Sales Company (RSC), Retail Property Company (RPC), Franchise Alliance (Victoria & Tasmania) and John Downes & Associates.
Principal Jon Sully says the new venture was born from the shareholders identifying a large gap in the market between a one to two person consulting firm, "who are one dimensional in their service" and the larger international companies "that are too generic and lack the ability to implement change”.
The principals are Jon Sully (ex Michel’s franchisor), Vaughn McGuinness (ex Stockland GM), John Downes (ex Deloitte partner), Steve Nicoll, Gill Gialamatzis, Carly Mackay (all property and sales experts). The recently-merged Franchise Alliance, owned by Phil Blain, and New Zealand’s Site Retail, will also operate under the BDC banner.
"This dynamic and fast growing company is set to become an industry leader with a formidable team of experts who can drive their clients businesses from concept to completion and everything in between, using the one company," said Sully.
The new venture's services include business advisory and strategy development, franchise recruitment and business sales, franchise system development, asset management, property management and lease negotiation, merger and acquisition due diligence, legal support, marketing, visual designs and shop fit out.
Collectively, the key personnel have combined business experience of over 250 years and offices in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Auckland. Expansion into other states - and countries - is envisaged.