Department store Myer is set to strengthen its board following the appointment of retail veterans Robert (Bob) Thorn and Ian Cornel as non-executive directors.

Queensland-based Thorn was previously MD of Super Retail Group (SRG) for nine years. Thorn drove Australia and New Zealand expansions and led the creation of the camping and leisure chain, BCF.

Sydney-based Cornell has also held senior retail roles including, most recently 11 years at Westfield Group where for seven years he was group head of human resources and also responsible for retailing relationships in Australia and New Zealand.

At Westfield, Cornell also spent three years as the head of management and marketing for the shopping centres in Australia and New Zealand and has extensive experience in large scale retail operations and responding to changing consumer trends.

Prior to joining Westfield, Cornell was chairman and CEO of supermarket chain Franklins, and earlier spent 22 years at Woolworths, including serving as chief gm – supermarkets.

Myer chairman, Paul McClintock, said “We are delighted to welcome these two non executive directors, together bringing more than six decades of retail experience to the Myer board.

“For some time we have been working towards a further strengthening of the board and these appointments complete that work.

“Given the opportunities and the challenges facing our business in the changing global environment, it is important that the structure and capabilities of the board are regularly refreshed.

“With Bob and Ian on board, we are now even better positioned to carry out our five point strategic plan, and to maximise opportunities to drive the long term sustainability of the Myer business,” McClintock said.