Woolworths Group managing director and CEO, Brad Banducci has announced his intention to retire and will leave the company in September 2024, following a 13-year tenure and more than eight years as CEO.
WooliesX managing director, Amanda Bardwell, who is responsible for leading digital, media, e-commerce, fulfilment, loyalty and finance, will succeed Banducci as managing director and CEO, effective 1 September 2024.
Woolworths Group chair, Scott Perkins thanked Banducci for his leadership and contribution: “Brad has led a remarkable turnaround and transformation. He has engendered a customer first, team first culture, worked to strengthen existing businesses and build digital, ecommerce and analytics capabilities that are seen by our peers as world leading.
“Most importantly, he has built a team of amazing calibre. Woolworths Group has been fortunate to have Brad as its leader and he has indeed helped us to be better together. The test of any CEO is to leave the business in much better shape than when they started. On that simple metric, history will judge Brad to have been one of Woolworths Group’s finest leaders.”
Commenting on Bardwell’s appointment, Perkins added: “Amanda is a proven leader, business builder and modern retailer. Most recently, under her leadership, WooliesX has gone from infancy in 2015 to a $7 billion market leading business. Amanda is highly respected throughout the organisation and I know, like Brad, will live our purpose and work hard to achieve Woolworths Group’s full potential.”
Commenting on his departure, Banducci said: “It’s been a privilege to be a member of the team and one I have never taken for granted. We have a wonderfully talented and passionate team at Woolworths Group, as personified in Amanda, and I look forward to working with her and our team over the next few months as we set ourselves up for the next chapter.”