By Craig Zammit
SYDNEY: Harvey Norman is mourning the loss of former franchisee and CEO of Pertama Holdings, Martin Dunkerley, who passed away on Saturday 3 June, 2006.
“The whole place is feeling it. He was an exceptional businessman and an exceptional human being,” Harvey Norman general manager – electrical, David Ackery told current.com.au.
Ackery echoed what many the industry would be feeling at the sudden loss of their friend and colleague.
Dunkerley was a one-time CEO of Pertama Holdings, the parent company of Harvey Norman’s Asian businesses and he also operated two of Harvey Norman’s most profitable proprietary franchises in Australia.
Harvey Norman published a memorial to Dunkerley in the business sections of many of today’s major newspapers.
"Harvey Norman’s board and staff extend their deepest sympathies to the Dunkerley Family on the sad passing away of Martin on Saturday 3 June, 2006," the advertisement read.
"Martin, until recently, was the managing director of Harvey Norman Singapore and Malaysia. He will be fondly remembered for his outstanding leadership, enthusiasm and support he gave to the team.
"Martin was held in the highest esteem by all of his colleagues and will be greatly missed by all of us.
"To his wife, Ching-I, his children Christopher, Sally, Peter, Bridgette, to his parents Bob and Barbara and family, we are all saddened by your great loss."