After more than 12 years.
Wesfarmers managing director, Richard Goyder, will step down from his role towards the end of 2017 after more than 12 years in the role. He will be succeeded by Wesfarmers head of industrial, Rob Scott, who becomes the group’s deputy CEO, effective immediately and will join the board as managing director at the conclusion of the 2017 AGM in November.
Wesfarmers chairman, Michael Chaney said, Scott had shown himself to be an outstanding executive, including in key senior roles across the group where he had demonstrated leadership and commercial capability.
“Rob has a proven capability to deliver improved business performance and to lead change through building great teams around him. Importantly, he is deeply grounded in Wesfarmers’ culture and disciplined focus on sustainable shareholder returns,” Chaney said.
Commenting on his appointment, Scott said, “The Wesfarmers approach to business is ingrained in me and provides our teams with a platform to innovate and develop world class businesses. Building high performing teams and maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation will be my focus as we position the group for the future.”
He then acknowledged Goyder’s leadership, “Richard has been an extraordinary leader at Wesfarmers and is a highly respected and admired leader of the Australian business community. His huge contribution to Wesfarmers has been complemented by the time and passion he has given to other roles in the wider community.”
His appointment continues Wesfarmers’ unbroken tradition of appointing its chief executives from within the group. Scott will become only its eighth managing director and CEO in 103 years.