David Jackson has resigned from his post as CEO of Sunbeam after five years, citing his interstate commute as the main reason for departing the brand, which is owned by publicly listed company GUD Holdings.

Originally from Melbourne, Jackson moved to Sydney to take up the role, replacing Jonathan (Jack) Lord in 2008. Having guided Sunbeam through the most difficult period in its long history, Jackson is now returning to Victoria to seek out a new challenge.

Having taken the Sunbeam reigns at the height of the Global Financial Crisis, Jackson needed to negotiate Sunbeam’s path through a difficult and contracted market, which was slowly being overrun by house brands and retailer-imported small appliances. GUD Holdings repeatedly blamed these factors for Sunbeam’s compressed results over the past five years.

Jackson’s main achievement during his stewardship was the creation and implementation of a new strategic direction for the brand, which has been spearheaded by marketing manager John Turnbull. The first stages of this execution are currently being rolled out and more pieces of the brand puzzle will be revealed as Christmas approaches, Jackson said.

GUD Holdings has not named a replacement.