Global franchise system ERA Group has appointed experienced franchise industry leader Marcel Lal as their new Global Chief Development Officer with a focus on growth in existing and new markets across the Asia Pacific region.
Marcel spent eight successful years with In
Xpress in the Executive Leadership Team, most recently as Global Chief Operating Officer and previously as their CEO Asia Pacific. He will continue to be based in Brisbane and remains a Board Member of the Franchise Council of Australia and FCA QLD State Chapter President. Marcel is also CFE qualified and has been a multiple award winner at the Top 30 Franchise Executives Australia, placing 2
nd in 2023.
ERA Group Global CEO Mark Taylor said "We are thrilled to bring on board someone of Marcel's vast franchise experience and calibre. He brings a proven skillset across all areas of franchising, and his knowledge of the Asia Pacific region will be particularly valuable for ERA Group in our next phase of growth. We anticipate he will contribute significantly to the success of our franchisees in the region as ‘We seek our success through our franchisees success’".
Marcel added "I have had an incredible journey with In
Xpress and it is a privilege to now be able to apply my skills with another global award-winning franchise system. ERA Group are in over 60 countries and world leaders in cost optimisation, so they already have a strong APAC & global presence. The opportunity to contribute to their growth plans and capitalise on new market opportunities is very exciting and appealing".
ERA Group is the current Global Franchise Grand Champion and Global Business & Professional Services winner from the 2025 Global Franchise Awards. Having previously won both awards on multiple occasions, ERA Group are again finalists at the upcoming 2026 awards in Las Vegas.
About ERA Group
ERA Group partners with business leaders to tackle their most important challenges and illuminate their greatest opportunities – people-led, insight powered, delivering Value Through Insight™.
For more than 30 years, we’ve helped organizations improve performance through cost optimization, combining deep category expertise with data, analytics and benchmarking.
Today, ERA is further amplified by technology. Through Athena™, we’re strengthening how insight is captured, analyzed and actioned - helping clients move faster from opportunity identification to implementation and measurable impact.
With specialists across major cost areas and industries worldwide, ERA Group helps modern leadership teams make confident decisions, protect margins and fund growth.
