Pack & Send founder and CEO Michael Paul is retiring 28 years after launching the international logistics business and the firm’s chief operating officer will step up to take on the top job.
Nicholas Woodward will be promoted to country manager from 1 September with responsibility for the domestic market and overseeing the growth and support of international master franchisees in the UK and New Zealand.
Woodward said he was aiming to build on Pack & Send’s current strong position with further innovation. “The market we serve is very significant and we are uniquely positioned,” he said.
Woodward joined Pack & Send in 2005 and has been an instrumental member of the senior leadership team during a strong growth period.
In 2020 he was ranked at number two in the Top 30 Franchise Executive Report. He also serves as the deputy president for the Franchise Council of Australia NSW chapter.
Michael Paul told Inside Franchise Business Executive “Nick’s first job after completing his university degree was with Pack & Send some 15 years ago, so it’s very pleasing to see from my perspective the future leadership of the brand coming from the talent that’s developed within the company, and it’s a testament to how Nick has developed as a person and executive over this time.”
An internal appointment to the top role has been the desired outcome for Pack & Send, which was acquired earlier this year by MBE Worldwide. Woodward’s long-term experience means he understood the drivers of the business’ strong success to date, said MBE region vice president Alberto Sacchetti.
“Pack & Send is certainly in great hands, given the foundation laid with Michael Paul’s leadership, the support of MBE Worldwide global infrastructure, and a path into the future guided by Nicholas and the rest of the Sydney head office support team,” he said.
Pack & Send posted a record breaking FY2020/21 global system-wide sales of $82.4 million, representing an increase of 32 per cent over the prior corresponding period.
Franchisees also reported substantial lifts in profits as sales grew on a business model with relatively fixed operating costs. The strong sales and profit performance helped stimulate the record sales of 21 franchises in FY2020/21, including eight existing franchisees who made the investment to acquire their second or third outlet.
Michael Paul founded the business in 1993 and began franchising a year later. In his franchising career he has served on the Franchise Council of Australia board (from October 2009 for eight years) and this included several terms as chair. In 2018 he was that year’s inductee into the FCA Hall of Fame.
