Upcoming Events

v2024 Ask the Experts | Franchise Blueprints with Lerners LLP

Date and Time

Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM EDT

8:30 AM Registration and Refreshments

9:00 AM Program Begins

Location

Chamber Meeting Centre
244 Pall Mall Street, Suite 101, London, ON N6A 5P6

Fees/Admission

Free to members, $35 for future members

Contact Information

Event Contact: Silvia Rodriguez Palacios
Send Email

Description

This month, our experts with discuss:

Growing your business, mitigating risk, capturing opportunities, and planning
Group Savings and Wellness Programs supporting companies with employee attraction and retention
Wealth planning strategies for Franchise business owners which may include investment management, financial, tax, business owner, retirement, or estate planning
The legal background and considerations when purchasing, growing, and selling a franchised business

Speakers

Andrew Johnson, Lawyer, Lerners LLP
Natalee Blake - Relationship Manager, Commercial Financial Services, RBC
Albert Schoeley - Financial Planner, Young Wealth Management Group, RBC
Brad Young, Senior Portfolio Manager, RBC
Ann Diab, Group Consultant, RBC

Photography and Video Disclaimer: The London Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to photograph, record and live stream this event. These photos and videos may be used in publications, posters and/or graphics. By registering for this event, you understand and acknowledge that your photograph and videos with you in them may be taken and used, per the discretion of the London Chamber of Commerce.

Our Speakers

Andrew Johnson

Andrew is a corporate lawyer practicing in Lerners’ Business Law Group, maintaining a sub-speciality in franchise law. He acts for franchisors, master franchisees, area developers, multi-unit franchisees, and single-unit franchisees across multiple systems in diverse industries, including quick service restaurants, gyms, personal services, retail, and grocery stores.

In his franchise practice, Andrew assists clients in preparing, reviewing, and negotiating franchise agreements, franchise disclosure documents, commercial leases, intellectual property licencing agreements, and other commercial agreements. Andrew also has extensive experience navigating franchise disputes, including rescission claims.

Since 2021, he has been recognized in Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch for Franchise Law. He is an active member of various North American franchise organizations and previously served on the Ontario Bar Association’s Franchise Law Section Executive.

Natalee Blake

Natalee Blake is a Relationship Manager of Commercial Financial Services at Royal bank of Canada; she manages a diversified book of business with a specialization in franchise businesses with over 10 years in the financial industry.
She has a track record of helping client achieve their financial goals and navigating complex financial landscapes. With a strong team in financial analysis, risk management and lending principles, she is equipped to assess the business customized financial needs and growth objectives.
Her strong partnership with external and internal expertise has help her to add value and deliver on key pain points for her clients in t their banking and beyond banking needs.
She is a graduate at Fanshawe with a diploma in Social Service work and completed her studies in Drugs and Human Behavior at Toronto Urban University and is currently completing her Executive Master of Business Administration at Ivey Business School at Western university.
Natalee is passionate about community involvement and actively volunteers with local organizations that focus on literacy and economic empowerment. She continues to strive to be a trusted advisor and partner in helping businesses thrive in today’s business environment.

Albert Schoeley

Albert leverages over 20 years of experience to provide our clients with detailed planning uniquely tailored to their financial, tax, retirement, and estate needs. Prior to joining the Young Wealth Management Group team, he spent over a decade working as a Financial Planning Specialist with RBC Family Office Services, utilizing his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designations to support advisors and their clients.

Albert attended the University of Waterloo, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Science and Business and obtained his Master of Accounting degree. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and has previously worked at a large public accounting firm as a Senior Tax Manager, where he focused in tax and provided professional services to an array of clients, from individuals to owner-managed businesses to publicly owned entities. Albert additionally has completed numerous In-Depth Tax Courses from CPA Canada, which is recognized as Canada’s premier tax training program, and is a member of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA).

When he’s not at the office, Albert enjoys spending time with his wife, Tanya, and their three young children.

Brad Young

People are at the heart of our business, and Brad never forgets it. “Helping families meet their needs so that they can enjoy their moments is the core of what we do,” he says. Leveraging over 30 years of industry experience, Brad serves as senior portfolio manager and leader of our team, applying his wealth management expertise to provide peace of mind for our clients.

Brad began his career in the trust and investment industry, specifically working with clients’ Will and estate concerns at RBC Royal Trust. His experience has taught him that the best way to help clients is through having meaningful conversations, whether that’s in person, over the phone, and more recently, over video. “It’s my job to prevent people from doing the wrong thing at the wrong time,” he says, “and the best way to do that is to stay connected to them.”

A graduate of the University of Western Ontario, Brad has achieved some of the top accreditations in the industry, including the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation, Personal Financial Planning (PFP) designation, Financial Management Advisor (FMA) designation, and his life insurance certification.

Outside of work, Brad likes to stay active with a regular fitness routine. He equally enjoys unwinding with family and friends, whether that’s with a glass of wine or at the family cottage with his wife, Michelle, and their children and grandchildren.

Ann Diab

Ann Diab works as a Group Retirement Savings Consultant with RBC Group Advantage™ in London and surrounding areas and specialize in helping businesses attract and retain top talent. With over 17 years’ experience in banking; Ann implements financial wellness programs that will have tremendous impact on an employee’s wellbeing; reducing their stress and creating a happy, and loyal work force. Ann can help build a tailored solution that meets the goals and objectives of your practice as well as the needs of your employees. Ann is passionate about fostering inclusivity, empowering people, and building trust and loyalty with clients and partners. Ann works collaboratively with a team of specialists and advisors to deliver a unique one-on-one approach that gives employees exclusive access to products, services, and rewards from RBC Royal Bank.

Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and has obtained Retirement Plan Associate (RPA) Canada Designation through International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans. Outside of work, Ann is actively involved in several community initiatives that support disadvantaged and underrepresented women, as well as intellectually challenged individuals.