AUSTRALIA | Coles has announced that its Chairman, James Graham, will retire from the Board of Coles, effective the 30th of April 2025.
Chair retirement Graham was appointed Chairman of Coles in 2018 at the time of its listing on the Australian Securities Exchange, following its demerger from Wesfarmers Limited.
He has led the Board since that time during a period marked by two years of COVID-19 lockdowns, the sale of Coles Express to Viva Energy, the purchase of the Jewel Foods ready meals business and the two Saputo milk processing facilities, and substantial capital investment in automation, new technology and store development.
“I am very honoured to have been Chairman of this iconic Australian company and to have worked with my fellow directors and the management teams under the successive leadership of Steven Cain and Leah Weckert,” said Graham.
“It has been a substantial new investment for Coles, particularly marked by the construction and operation of new automated distribution centres and the investment in world-leading online groceries retailing technologies.”
The Board has appointed Peter Allen as Chairman-elect to succeed Graham on the 1st of May 2025. He has been an independent non-executive Director of Coles since the 1st of September 2024 and has over 30 years of senior executive experience.
“I am delighted that Peter has agreed to succeed me as Chairman of the Board. I am very confident that Coles, under the leadership of our Chief Executive Leah Weckert, will continue its success as it remains customer-focused in providing food, groceries and liquor to all Australians, whilst delivering for shareholders.”
From 2014 to 2022, Allen was managing director and chief executive officer of Scentre Group and, prior to that, chief financial officer of Westfield Group.
Allen has brought a strong commercial perspective with significant engagement in the Australian retail sector. He has deep experience in building stakeholder relationships and driving business success, and he strongly emphasised customer, company culture, and innovation.
“It is an honour and privilege to succeed James Graham as Chair of Coles. Under his leadership, the company is well-positioned for the future. James will be remembered for his strategic decision making, active shareholder engagement and focus on operational excellence and capital allocation,” said Allen.
“As incoming Chair, I am committed to generating long-term value for all our shareholders and will work tirelessly with the Board and management to achieve this. I look forward to continuing to take this great company forward.”
More global FMCG news here
