Myer’s chief information and supply chain officer, Richard Umbers, has been promoted to CEO and managing director, following Bernie Brookes' retirement, the retail group announced on Monday.
Umbers joined the company last September and since then, has managed the retailer’s online services and IT infrastructure (including payment systems), its supply chain and MYER one loyalty program.
Umbers joined Myer from Australia Post where he was general manager for Parcel and Express Services. He was also CEO at road and air express logistics provider StarTrack.
He was responsible for Australia Post’s e-commerce program, an initiative designed to position the organisation to take advantage of the boom in online shopping.
Myer chairman, Paul McClintock, said in statement that to thrive in a modern retail environment, Myer must adapt and be closer to its customers.
“A strategic review has been ongoing for some time, with a view to reshaping the business for a profitable, sustainable future,” said McClintock.
“The board and managing team have agreed that the transformation work has reached a pivotal point and it’s appropriate for a new CEO to be given the opportunity to own, lead and drive the transformation program over the coming years.
“Already at his time at Myer, Richard has demonstrated that he is a contemporary retailer with his clear ability to reshape Myer in the new retail landscape.”
Umbers starts his role today with an annual salary of $1.2 million, Myer said.
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