Woolworths creates internal First Nations advisory board Woolworths Group has announced the creation of a First Nations Advisory Board, made up of eight members, with a majority Aboriginal representation. The board will advise the group on matters of internal policy, advocacy positions, commercial and partnering decisions, and in the engagement and empowerment of the Indigenous community. “The First Nations Advisory Board provides us with the capacity to make a meaningful contribution to Closi
to Closing the Gap, drawing on collective expertise and informed insights to make meaningful change,” said advisory board chair and Woolworths Group’s managing director of B2B and Everyday Needs Claire Peters.
“This advisory board plays a critical role in providing counsel and guidance on key issues and challenges of importance to Indigenous team members, customers and communities across Australia.”
The creation of the board came about following backlash in 2021, when Woolworths Group proposed a new Dan Murphy’s store in Darwin near three ‘dry’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. An independent panel found that the business didn’t engage with the communities, and prioritised commercial interests over that of the public.
The plan to launch the store was ceased, and Endeavour Group spun out from Woolworths Group later in 2021.
GameStop fires chief financial officer, shares fall
GameStop Corp said on Thursday it had terminated the employment of Chief Financial Officer Michael Recupero, sending shares of the video game retailer down 8% in extended trading.
The exit was first reported by Axios, which also said the company was laying off an undisclosed number of employees, citing a memo.
Shares closed about 15% higher in regular trading after the company announced a four-for-one stock split late Wednesday.
Recupero, who was previously chief financial officer of Amazon’s North American consumer business, will be replaced by Chief Accounting Officer Diana Saadeh-Jajeh.
As part of efforts to focus on online sales following the pandemic, GameStop last year also tapped Amazon Australia’s head, Matt Furlong, as its chief executive officer.
GameStop was at the heart of a meme-stock trading phenomenon in 2021, when retail investors banded together on social media forums to punish hedge funds that had bet against the stocks.
This story has been republished from Reuters with permission.
Australian gift-delivery retailer LVLY names new CEO
Australia’s gift delivery retailer LVLY has appointed its advisor, David Robinson, as the new CEO as co-founder Hannah Spilva joins Limitless Technology Group.
Spilva’s resignation from the CEO role comes after LVLY sold the business to Southeast Asian-based Limitless Technology for $35 million and the co-founder prepared to take a seat on the board of Limitless Technology as part of the deal.
Robinson joined the company in 2016 as an advisory board member, focusing on range development, market growth, channel expansion, technical enhancements and operational and financial improvements.
“David Robinson has been there every step of the way and that’s why there’s no better person to help LVLY scale the next summit,” said Spilva.
Currently MD of Green Island Advisory, Robinson is recently an advisor of several businesses, including global e-gift card provider Prezzee and retail ‘scan and fo’ mobile application Tilly. He also held the position of chief marketing officer and group executive digital at David Jones.
Founded by Hannah Spilva and Verity Tuck in 2014, LVLY provides gift delivery services in Australia. The company was recently named #8 in the Australian Financial Review’s Fast 100 of 2021 and listed as one of Australia’s 20 coolest retailers by Inside Retail.
Taco Bell pinches Amazon’s head of advertising
After four years as Amazon Australia’s head of branding and advertising, Andrew Howie is jumping ship to QSR chain Taco Bell. Joining as the business’ chief marketing officer, Howie said it was time for a change.
“I’m excited to share that after 4 years at Amazon delighting customers and growing myself professionally, it’s time to jump onboard a new rocket ship,” Howie said.
“This is my first week at Taco Bell Australia. Growing this amazing brand and business is going to be an awesome journey. I certainly can’t wait.”
According to Mumbrella, Howie previously served as head of Westpac advertising, and group marketing manager at Meat and Livestock Australia.
Pirata Group names new CEO in preparation for expansion
Hong Kong-based restaurant operator Pirata Group has appointed Burger King Scandinavia executive Steen Puggard as its new CEO to gear up for international expansion.
Puggard will commence his role at Pirata Group on July 18 as CEO, succeeding co-founder Manuel Palacio who will assume the chairmanship of the company and focus on providing strategic advice. In his new role, Puggard will oversee day-to-day operations and Pirata Group’s international expansion.
“What drew me to this role, in particular, was the ability to apply all of my previous experience to building on Pirata Group’s outstanding commitment to its people and guests,” Puggaard said.
With more than 25 years of experience in building both blue-chip brands and startups in Asia as a senior executive and marketer, Puggard was previously CEO at 4 Fingers in Singapore and recently at Burger King Scandinavia.
Muffin Break’s general manager steps down
After 21 years at Foodco, Muffin Break’s general manager Natalie Brennan is exiting the company.
Brennan has acted as the company’s head of Muffin Break for 5 years, serving as Foodco’s head of corporate brand services, product and acquisitions manager, project manager for USA, and human resources and training manager.
“There are not enough words that could express how much Foodco has meant in my life,” Brennan wrote on her Linkedin.
“Foodco has always been about the people, and it is all of the team that I will miss the most. There have [been] so many hilarious, frustrating, funny, hard, sad, joyous times that I can’t even begin to try and sum it all up.
“Thank you to everyone that has supported me on this amazing journey – there is no way I could have done it or had so much fun without you.”