Wesfarmer’s Nicole Sheffield has been elected president of the Australian Retailers Association, overseeing a board with several new councillors and advisors. 

Sheffield, the ARA’s first female president, succeeds Rowan Hodge who steps down after four years but who will continue as a council member. Stephen Younane, CEO at Retail Prodigy Group, has been elected VP and Drew Meads, franchise manager at Forty Winks, is the new treasurer. Steve Plarre, CEO at Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses, will continue as ARA secretary.

Krista Diez-Simson, CFO/COO at Taking Shape, Josephine Barbaro, CFO at Apparel Group & Co, Sharon Beaumont, GM people, communications and safety at 7 Eleven, Jane McNally, CEO at Camilla, Erica Berchtold, CEO at The Iconic, and Sarah Hunter, MD at Officeworks, are ARA council members.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra said the council’s equal representation reflects its commitment to delivering better outcomes within the retail industry. 

“The new ARA council represents retailers of all shapes and sizes with vast networks across the country. These roles reflect the commitment of the individuals, and the retail organisations behind them, to making a community contribution, with the council members serving on a pro bono basis,” he added.

Sheffield said she wants to remain a ‘strong advocate’ for retailers. “This is a pivotal time for the retail industry with Covid continuing to impact so many businesses in terms of supply chain constraints and staff shortages,” she said.