Former Retail Council CEO.

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) would like to express our sympathies at the passing of Anna McPhee, the former CEO of the Retail Council.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said it had been a pleasure at to work alongside Anna in advocating policies which assisted retailers. “Anna’s passing will leave a prominent advocate missing in the business and political community,” he said.

The ARA has been asked to pass on former Chairman of the Retail Council, Peter Birtles’, condolences. Acknowledging Anna’s contribution to the industry, Birtles said, “I would like to recognise the relationships Anna built with the government, regulators and other stakeholders, and for influencing positive outcomes for the industry through her work in the retail sector” in particular in the areas of trading hours and GST threshold.”

The ARA, retailers and the all those who worked with Anna would like to pass on our deepest condolences to Anna’s family and friends.

The National Retail Association also expressed its most sincere sadness at the passing of Anna McPhee.

NRA Chief Executive Officer Dominique Lamb said McPhee had been a mighty advocate on behalf of businesses. “Anna’s passing will leave a large gap in the Australian business and political community,” Lamb said.

“It was always our pleasure at the NRA to work alongside Anna and her team in advocating policies and decisions that allowed business owners to do what they do best – generate prosperity and create jobs. Her no-nonsense approach to engaging with retailers, policy makers and – more recently – the political preselection process was an inspiration to us all.

“Australia already suffers a shortage of inspirational and capable female business leaders. We are worse off for having lost one of the best. On behalf of the National Retail Association and its members, I offer our deepest sympathy to Anna’s loved ones,” she said.