Former FCA chair Bruce Billson takes on new roleFormer Franchise Council of Australia chair, the Hon. Bruce Billson is starting his new role as Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman next week.He replaces outgoing and inaugural Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell AO.“The pandemic has been punishing for many of our small and family businesses, which will need a supportive environment to help lead the nation into recovery,” said Billson, who will hold his new role for a five-year-term.“All of my efforts will go towards putting the wind in the sails of small business and helping to energise enterprise to Australia’s benefit.”Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra said Billson’s wealth of experience within small business will position him as a powerful advocate for the industry.“As a former Small Business Minister, Billson comes to the role with a great understanding of the needs within this space,” Zahra said. “We look forward to working with him on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry and ensuring small businesses have the support they need to grow and prosper.”In his previous role as Cabinet Minister, Billson led the Government’s SME agenda and the creation of the 2015 Federal Budget’s Jobs and Small Business package. Macy’s announces management shakeupDepartment store chain Macy’s has announced its chief operations officer John Harper will be leaving the company, amid other leadership changes.Harper will depart on August 1 and the post won’t be refilled as it will be eliminated. “As a digitally-led omnichannel retailer, Macy’s, Inc. is in the midst of an exciting transformation,” CEO Jeff Gennette said in a statement. “We are building a diverse leadership team that includes a blend of new talent with outside perspectives along with our tenured and best developed leaders who will accelerate the progress of our Polaris growth strategy.”Macy’s also has a new chief information officer, Laura Miller, who previously worked at InterContinental Hotel Group, holding the same position.Meanwhile, Marla Beck, CEO and co-founder of Bluemercury, is stepping down and the company is searching for a replacement.Estée Lauder appoints senior vice president for new Equity and Engagement sectionBeauty giant Estée Lauder has appointed Nicole Monson as senior vice president to lead the newly created Equity and Engagement Centre of Excellence.The new Equity and Engagement Centre of Excellence was launched to build greater equity and representation within every aspect of the business, from the employees to the consumers, the company stated.“Our collective vision is to be the most inclusive, equitable and diverse global prestige beauty company for our employees and consumers alike,” said Fabrizio Freda, Estée Lauder president and chief executive. “This important new capability will enhance employee engagement and build greater equity across the business today, while also providing a strategic platform to expand and scale this work into the future.”In her new role, Monson will work across all areas of the business to develop the company’s long-term equity and employee engagement strategy and enterprise-wide capabilities.