Toys “R” Us CEO steps back
Rakshnna Pattabiraman
The Group CEO and MD of Toys ‘R’ Us Louis Mittoni has resigned but will continue to assist the company during the coming six months as it seeks a replacement.
Mittoni is the largest shareholder in the ASX-listed company and will remain on the board as an executive director while serving out his notice period. In a stock-exchange filing, the company said Mittoni will focus on key international projects in the ANZ and UK-licensed territories.
He will also focus on the brand’s migration from its present e-commerce platform to a new website ahead of this year’s holiday season while supporting the company’s rollout of the store-in-store trial with WH Smith in the UK.
“The board thanks Louis for his drive, energy and vision as group CEO over the past two and a half years leading the company,” the company said.
While the search process has been accelerated, chair Kevin Moore will combine the roles of CEO and non-exec chair as executive chair until a new group CEO is appointed.
The company said it has shortlisted candidates for a new MD for the Australian and New Zealand businesses, with further interviews scheduled later this month.
Domino’s ANZ CEO takes on new role
Sarah Stowe
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises CEO David Burness is shifting roles, taking up the inaugural global culture coach position to focus on growing franchisee capability and entrepreneurial development.
Asia-Pacific CEO Josh Kilimnik will take on the ANZ CEO role, initially for 12 months, with the CEOs of Japan, Taiwan and the ASEAN markets continuing to report to him.
Group CEO and managing director Don Meij said the inaugural global culture coach appointment reflects the role multi-unit franchisees will play in the growth of Domino’s across Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
“Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd intends to deliver significant growth over the next decade, with plans to operate more than 7250 stores by 2033, with an interim goal of five stores per franchisee,” Meij said.
Burness came into the CEO role just over 18 months ago after a 30-year career with Domino’s. He is one of the chain’s most awarded franchisees, and served in a leadership role in Domino’s Netherlands when it was acquired by DPE.
Burness said “I’m looking forward to helping our regional leadership unlock this talent and enthusiasm, including in markets where Domino’s managers will have the opportunity to become their own business owners for the first time.”
New Coles chief customer officer
Aron Lewin
Supermarket giant Coles has appointed Amanda McVay as its new chief customer officer. The hire follows the departure of Lisa Ronson last year, and comes after a global search to fill the new role.
Prior to joining the company McVay – who was previously based in the United States – was the group vice president for supermarket chain Meijer, and worked for over nine years at Target according to her LinkedIn page.
Former Coles Express head Michael Courtney has also been promoted to new chief executive of Coles Liquor.
Courtney was previously the executive general manager of Coles Express, and replaces outgoing head Darren Blackhurst, who is reported to be moving back to the United Kingdom.
McVay and Courtney are the first of a number of significant appointments made by Leah Weckert, who became Coles chief executive and managing director on May 1.
Stylerunner GM moves to start up
Rakshnna Pattabiraman
Activewear brand Stylerunner’s GM Ryan Edelmuth has stepped back from the business to lead high chair startup, Catchy.
Founded in 2012, Stylerunner is a multi-brand retailer that sells luxe and premium activewear from global and emerging brands and is owned by the Accent Group.
In a LinkedIn post, Edelmuth described his time with Stylerunner as a “career highlight” and added: “After an incredible nine years at Accent Group, last week was my final week.” He said the highlight of his time with Accent was the three years he spent leading the Stylerunner business.
During his time with Stylerunner, Edelmuth assisted in opening the brand’s first physical retail store in 2020 followed by 20 more across Australia and New Zealand.
He joins Catchy as a CEO and partner of the business and will work closely with its founders.
