Retail conglomerate Super Retail Group has named Gary Williams as its new managing director of sports retailing.

Currently chief operating officer of Alceon Retail Group, Williams will join the business effective 8 April 2019, bringing more than 30 years of global retail experience to the group’s leadership team.

“Rebel is Australia’s best-known sporting goods retailer and Gary is the perfect match for this business,” Super Retail Group managing director and chief executive Anthony Heraghty said.

“With his extensive retailing history, he clearly understands the market and has an absolute commitment to putting customers first.”

Williams’s expertise in sports and consumer retailing, digital transformation and brand development will be an asset to the business, and will bring a fresh perspective to the group’s omnichannel strategy, according to Heraghty.

Williams has held positions at David Jones and Country Road Group, Myer, Sass & Bide, Topshop, Reebok, Coca-Cola, Puma, and Westfield, while currently overseeing EziBuy and SurfStitch at Alceon Retail Group.

Williams also spent six years as a professional soccer player in the South African Premier League between 1988 to 1994.

“I am thrilled to be joining Super Retail Group at an exciting time for the company,” Williams said.

“Millions of Australians have grown up with Rebel and I am honoured to be the next custodian of this amazing business.”

Rebel was awarded the customer experience of the year for a large business award at the 2019 Retailer Awards last week – the top honour at an event centred around customer experience.

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