Meet the FRI Team

Ree-Anna ChatmanOperations manager

Ree-Anna has an honours degree in psychology and is completing her final supervision requirements to become a registered psychologist. She coordinates projects with clients, manages the operations team and is liked and respected for her friendly, straight-forward approach. If you are using our services, Ree-Anna will usually be the person to ensure we properly undertand your needs and make sure that we have all the bases covered.

Speaking of bases, Ree-Anna is a keen softball and touch football player.

Debb LoweSales Manager and senior associate

Like many top franchise professionals Debb started her franchising career 18 years ago with McDonalds, where she held Operations and Training roles, including the role of Olympic Operations Manager for the McDonald’s Olympic Project. This involved hiring and training 100 managers and 1000 team members. She was also instrumental in developing the people and systems for Master Franchisees in the Pacific Island countries and had the prestigious role of Professor at the famous McDonald's Hamburger University in Sydney. Debb has held senior people development roles with Krispy Kreme and Foodco (the franchisor for Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue) where she worked predominantly as a change agent, developing culture, people and systems. She has a reputation as an outstanding presenter and facilitator.

Some Comments On Debb Lowe’s Work

When not facilitating or training Debb loves to dance.

Joanna Connelly Research & Development Manager

Jo has a Masters Degree in Organisational Psychology from the University of Queensland and manages our ongoing R&D program. She is one of the most organised people you are likely to meet, which is fortunate because she works closely with our Managing Director (one of the most disorganised people you are likely to meet). If you are a user of the Nathan Profiler for selecting franchisees, you are sure to be fortunate at some stage to deal with our friendly, conscientious Joanna.

When not running our Franchise Lab, Jo loves to read books, cook cakes for her mates at the office and, occasionaly, to ride a horse.

Ann NathanPublications Director

Ann has a degree in English literature and for many years worked as a Research Fellow at Monash University’s Department of Higher Education. She loves to read and is addicted to Sudoku. Ann looks after our publications division, so if you are ordering books by phone or through our web site, chances are she will be looking after you. Ann thinks there is a real opportunity for franchise companies to be more environmentally conscious.

Ann has the dubious honour of being the partner of our Managing Director.

Moshe the Golden Retrieverex-Director of Security

We are sad to report that we recently lost our Director of Security to old age. He was 14. We are told that in the canine security industry this is equivalent to being 98 years old — not a bad innings. Moshe brought a lot of joy to our staff and our guests. As a dedication to this loyal, lovable, generous soul we share the following tips. Like all good teachers, Moshe inspired us through his example rather than his words.

Moshe’s Rules for a Happy, Stress Free Life

• Don’t hold grudges.
• Maintain a healthy sense of curiousity.
• Show it when you’re happy to see someone.
• Be optimistic and proactive in seeking things out.
• Always be on the look out for someone to have fun with.
• When there’s nothing to be done, relax and enjoy the moment.
• Enjoy your food.
• Have a good stretch every morning.
• If you want something from someone, be nice to them.
• And if they don't give it to you, still be nice to them.
• Be loyal to your friends and family.

Despite his wisdom a little known fact about Moshe is that he never learned to let go of a ball and consequently missed out on the fun of playing fetch.

Dr Chris JacksonResearch and Development Consultant

Chris is Professor of Psychology at the Australian School of Business, University of NSW, and is an expert in the design and use of psychological tests. He works with our R&D team on the development and validation of our products. Chris’s energy and enthusiasm for psychology is infectious and his visits to our office always result in new and valuable insights.

Chris has developed one of the world’s most respected learning styles questionnaires, “The Learning Styles Profiler”, (see www.cymeon.com).

Katherine Weston Marketing and events manager

Katherine has had an amazing career so far having spent seven years in the British Navy as a Navigation Officer, where she was responsible for the safety and welfare of up to 200 crew. She has an extraordinary ability to quickly understand what is happening, what is needed and to do something about it. Katherine loves animals, music and her partner Braden.

Katherine has a keen sense of rhythm and has been heard playing the spoons during our corporate jam sessions.

Anita VuckovicResearch Assistant

Anita is our talented research assistant who is also completing her honours degree in psychology at the University of Queensland. She has a quick mind and a good sense of humour (which comes in handy working in our business). Clients who use the Nathan Profiler are likely to have Anita set up their administration site and conduct their initial training. While Anita is good at her work and all that, the real reason she got the job is that she plays a mean guitar, which quite impressed our Managing Director.

When not playing guitar or studying, Anita loves her soccer.

Nicole SimpsonResearch Assistant

Nicole is our resident Research Assistant helping out in every department of the FRI community. Whilst completing her Honours in psychology, Nicole adds enormous value to our R&D department and assists in all aspects of client services. Nicole is an enthusiastic musician with a passion for the franchising industry, and soon hopes to become a registered psychologist.

When Nicole isn’t rocking out at FRI, you’ll find her rocking out at Indie Music Festivals.

Greg NathanManaging Director

Greg is a corporate psychologist and international expert on the franchise relationship. He has a Masters Degree in Psychology and Education from Monash University and is a prolific writer on managing the people issues in franchising. He developed the popular Franchise E-Factor model and is regularly invited to deliver keynote addresses at franchising conferences all over the world. Greg’s introduction to franchising started in 1979 with the Brumby’s Bakery group where he was a multi-site franchisee and later became the group’s National Marketing and Operations Manager. In 2003 the Franchise Council of Australia presented him with the inaugural National “Contribution to Franchising” Award in recognition of his pioneering work in franchise education and research.

The Franchise Times recently named Greg as one of the “Top 20” thought leaders to watch in the USA.