29 May 2017
Wesfarmers leadership appointments
Wesfarmers today announced three senior executive appointments as part of the Group’s leadership transition next financial year.
Wesfarmers Deputy Chief Executive Officer and incoming Managing Director Rob Scott said he was pleased to be able to confirm the important leadership roles in advance of succeeding Richard Goyder as Managing Director in November 2017.
At a Group level, Anthony Gianotti will be the next Wesfarmers Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Finance Director Terry Bowen, who will step down later this year after nearly nine years in the role and 12 years on the Wesfarmers leadership team.
Mr Gianotti will become the Group’s Deputy CFO, effective 1 July 2017. He is currently Deputy Managing Director and Finance Director of the Wesfarmers Industrials division.
Mr Scott said Mr Gianotti had shown himself to be an outstanding executive in key senior roles across the Group, including as Finance Director and Managing Director of the Insurance division before its divestment in 2015. In August 2015, Mr Gianotti was appointed Finance Director of the new Wesfarmers Industrials division, which brought together the Group’s three industrial businesses: Resources; Chemicals, Energy and Fertilisers; and Industrial and Safety.
“Anthony will bring extensive experience in senior financial and commercial roles across the Wesfarmers Group, is deeply invested in Wesfarmers’ values and focus on sustainable shareholder returns, and has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership in business improvement,” Mr Scott said.
Mr Goyder and Mr Scott paid tribute to Mr Bowen’s contribution to Wesfarmers over more than 20 years with the Group, including as Finance Director of Landmark, Managing Director of Wesfarmers Industrial and Safety, and Finance Director of Coles in the period immediately after it was acquired by Wesfarmers in 2007.
“Terry has been pivotal to Wesfarmers’ growth and success over the past two decades, and is a trusted and brilliant colleague who is rightly considered to be one of the most outstanding senior executives in this country,” Mr Goyder said.
Mr Bowen said it had been an honour and a privilege to be part of the Wesfarmers Board and executive team and to work closely with so many talented people over the years.
“We’ve nurtured great depth of talent in the Group and our balance sheet is in great shape, which positions the Group well for the future,” Mr Bowen said. “I look forward to working with Anthony on a smooth transition in the coming months before pursuing new opportunities outside Wesfarmers.”
Industrials
Wesfarmers also announced that David Baxby has been appointed Managing Director of the Industrials division, effective August 2017, succeeding Mr Scott. Mr Baxby is a former President and Chief Executive Officer of international shopping transaction processing business Global Blue and a former Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Group Ltd, the holding company of Sir Richard Branson.
Mr Scott said he was delighted to welcome Mr Baxby to the Group Executive Leadership Team and looked forward to working with him to further develop and grow Wesfarmers’ non-retail businesses.
“David brings a wealth of international experience across a range of industry sectors that strengthens our Group leadership team,” Mr Scott said. “His strong commercial expertise and track record in business development will further support the performance and growth of our Industrials portfolio.”
Bunnings
Rounding out the executive changes, Michael Schneider, currently Managing Director Bunnings Australia and New Zealand (BANZ), has been promoted to Managing Director, Bunnings Group, replacing John Gillam who stepped down from the role in December 2016. Mr Schneider will retain responsibility for BANZ.
Bunnings United Kingdom and Ireland (BUKI) Managing Director Peter Davis will now report to Mr Schneider, and Mr Scott will chair the BUKI Steering Committee. Mr Gillam continues to support the Bunnings business in an advisory role including as Chairman of the Bunnings Group Council.
View the full announcement and profiles here