Woolworths Group reveals new management lineup
By Rakshnna Pattabiraman
Woolworths Group has named Daniel Hake as the new MD of Big W operations and Von Ingram as head of the group’s non-food retail businesses including Big W, MyDeal, PetCulture and HealthyLife.
Hake joined Woolworths Group in May 2018 and was most recently its commercial director of merchandising and customer value in Woolworths Supermarkets. Prior to this, he was GM of customer transformation and digital strategy for WooliesX and Woolworths Group.
Ingram was Woolworths Group’s chief transformation officer in July 2018, overseeing transformation and customer-first strategy.
Guy Brent will lead the company’s Woolworths Food Company, an own-brand exclusive food business, together with Greenstock, PFD Food Services and the Australian Grocery Wholesalers.
Best & Less CEO Rodney Orrock steps aside on medical leave
By Rakshnna Pattabiraman
Budget apparel retailer Best & Less Group (BLG) CEO Rodney Orrock will be taking a three-month sabbatical from the company, for medical reasons.
Former MD and current non-executive chair Jason Murray will take over Orrock’s responsibilities effective immediately.
“Our business is in strong shape and the company remains focused on trading through the important Black Friday and Christmas trading periods and executing our growth strategy,” said Murray.
“We are supportive of Rod’s decision to take a period of medical leave and we wish him all the best with his treatment and recovery.”
Murray served as the group’s MD between 2012 and 2018 and again from 2019 to 2021. Prior to BLG, he was CEO and MD at Just Group.
Apple senior exec leaves iPhone maker after remark in viral video
By Reuters
Apple Inc’s Tony Blevins, a key player in the company’s supply chain operations, is leaving the iPhone maker, the company confirmed on Thursday, without providing a reason.
The move comes after a TikTok video of the executive making a crude remark about women went viral. Bloomberg first reported Blevins’ departure.
In a video on TikTok published earlier this month, Blevins can be heard saying, “I have rich cars, play golf and fondle big-breasted women, but I take weekends and major holidays off” in response to a question on what he did for a living.
Blevins had been approached by TikTok content creator Daniel Mac at a car show as part of a video series in which Mac asks owners of expensive cars their occupations.
Both Mac and Blevins’ companion in a Mercedes sports car were laughing as Blevins spoke off the cuff while exiting the car. Bloomberg reported that Blevins appeared to be referencing a nearly identical line spoken by the main character in the 1981 film “Arthur.”
Apple did not comment on the reason for Blevins’ departure. Reuters attempts to reach Blevins for comment were unsuccessful. Bloomberg cited a statement from Blevins in which the executive apologised for causing offence with what he called a “mistaken attempt at humour.”
Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru and Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Leslie Adler and Rosalba O’Brien
Burberry chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci exits, replacement named
By Irene Dong
Burberry has named Daniel Lee as its new chief creative officer, immediately after announcing the sudden and immediate departure of Riccardo Tisci, pictured above at the time of his appointment in 2018.
Lee, who will take over on 3 October, has worked as Bottega Veneta’s creative director for the past five years, where he contributed to the Italian luxury brand’s revitalisation. He previously worked for Maison Margiela, Balenciaga, Donna Karan and Celine as director of ready-to-wear design.
Lee will oversee all Burberry collections and showcase his debut runway collection at London Fashion Week in February next year.
Tisci, meanwhile, left the company on 30 September after five years in the role. His last collection for the luxury brand, the Spring Summer 2023 collection, was unveiled recently in London.
“Burberry is a very special place with a magical past and a very promising future,” Tisci said in a statement. “The chapter I was asked to write in its long story is one that I am incredibly proud of and one I have decided would culminate with my show on Monday. I thrived to continue a legacy of innovation, and consistently championed for creativity and diversity, in order to always keep Burberry moving forward,” he said.
“I want to thank my teams, past and present, and the army of collaborators and friends who helped me write a chapter that I hope will stay in Burberry’s future for years to come.”
