Super Retail Hires Wesfarmers Veteran as CFO and Oroton Turnaround Boss for rebel
Super Retail Group secures Wesfarmers veteran and Oroton turnaround leader in executive shake-up
Super Retail Group has appointed three senior executives in a leadership refresh ahead of its new five-year strategy, bringing Officeworks Managing Director Sarah Hunter in as Chief Financial Officer, Oroton turnaround specialist Jenny Child to lead rebel, and confirming Ben McConnell as Supercheap Auto Managing Director. Hunter and Child will commence 1 June 2026, whilst McConnell’s appointment is effective immediately following his interim tenure since November 2025.
The appointments follow the retirement of CFO David Burns after 13 years with the Group and rebel Managing Director Gary Williams after 7 years in the role. Burns will remain CFO until 28 August 2026 before retiring in November 2026, ensuring continuous financial leadership during the transition.
Managing Director and CEO Paul Bradshaw positioned the appointments as strategic preparation for the Group’s next growth phase, stating the incoming executives bring operational transformation experience alongside financial and brand leadership capabilities.
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Who is Sarah Hunter? The Officeworks MD stepping into Super Retail Group’s finance chair
Hunter arrives from Officeworks, where she led a team of more than 9,000 across 173 stores, offices and distribution centres, delivering sustained growth in revenue, profitability and omni-channel sales. Her tenure at the Wesfarmers-owned stationery and office supplies retailer demonstrated capability to manage large-scale retail operations whilst maintaining financial discipline.
The appointment brings dual financial leadership and operational transformation expertise. Hunter previously served as State General Manager (Victoria) for Coles Supermarkets and Program Director of the Coles demerger from Wesfarmers, delivering Australia’s largest corporate demerger. Her Coles Group experience also includes Financial Controller and senior finance and strategy leadership positions.
International experience rounds out Hunter’s credentials, with prior roles as Finance and Strategy Director of Gatwick Airport and Head of Investor Relations for BAA plc (Airport Operator) in the UK.
Bradshaw described Hunter as “a strong financial and transformation leader with demonstrated operational depth” who will be “a significant asset to our business as we prepare to embark on our new five-year strategy.”
Sarah Hunter
“Like millions of Australians, I am passionate about Super Retail Group’s brands and I am thrilled to be joining the Group to help deliver a new phase of growth with Paul and the leadership team.”
Hunter’s operational background at Officeworks directly translates to Super Retail Group’s multi-brand retail model spanning automotive (Supercheap Auto), sports and leisure (rebel), and outdoor equipment (BCF). Her experience scaling omni-channel operations positions her to oversee capital allocation across the Group’s digital and physical store network.
Jenny Child brings brand turnaround expertise to rebel at critical time
Child joins from Oroton Group, where she served as CEO and Executive Director between 2021 and 2025, leading the luxury Australian brand’s revitalisation and return to sustained profitability. The turnaround strategy focused on customer connection and investment in people and technology.
Prior to Oroton, Child spent 15 years at McKinsey & Company, including 7 years as Partner in the consultancy’s Consumer and Retail Practice. During that period, she advised CEOs and boards across Australia, New Zealand and North America, leading the design and delivery of growth and transformation strategies for retail and consumer companies.
The appointment arrives as Australian retail faces margin pressure and intensifying competition across sports and leisure categories. Bradshaw highlighted Child’s “experience shaping customer-led strategy and reviving a heritage brand with a focus on long-term growth and value” as positioning rebel to navigate this environment.
Jenny Child
“rebel is one of Australia’s favourite retail brands, and I am excited to be taking the helm at a time when Australians have never been more invested in their fitness and wellbeing.”
Child replaces Gary Williams, who led rebel through COVID, the rollout of the store network, expansion of global partnerships, and the launch of the rebel Active loyalty programme over seven years.
Ben McConnell confirmed as Supercheap Auto MD after interim stint
McConnell’s permanent appointment follows his interim Managing Director role since November 2025. He brings more than 25 years of ecommerce, operations and marketing experience within Super Retail Group, having started on the Supercheap Auto shop floor in 2000.
The internal promotion signals cultural continuity for the Group’s flagship automotive brand. McConnell’s career spans multiple functions across Super Retail Group, providing operational knowledge of the business alongside customer-facing retail experience.
What does a CFO do and why does this appointment matter for investors?
The Chief Financial Officer oversees financial strategy, capital allocation, investor relations, and risk management. In a retail context, the CFO shapes investment decisions across store networks, digital infrastructure, supply chain optimisation, and working capital management.
Key CFO responsibilities at Super Retail Group include:
- Capital Allocation: Determining investment priorities across the Group’s three retail brands and distribution infrastructure
- Financial Planning: Setting budgets, forecasts, and financial targets that support the five-year strategy
- Shareholder Returns: Managing dividend policy, share buyback programmes, and capital structure decisions
- Risk Management: Overseeing financial controls, treasury operations, and external reporting compliance
- Investor Relations: Communicating financial performance and strategic direction to institutional investors and analysts
Hunter’s operational background at Officeworks suggests a balanced financial-operational perspective rather than purely finance-focused approach. Her experience delivering profitability growth whilst scaling omni-channel operations indicates capability to assess retail investments through both financial return and customer impact lenses.
The transition period with Burns remaining until August 2026 ensures orderly handover during a strategic planning phase. Super Retail Group enters its new five-year strategy with financial leadership secured and no gap in CFO coverage.
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Super Retail Group’s leadership team positions for next growth phase
The triple appointment strengthens management depth across finance and two major retail brands ahead of strategy execution. Hunter brings retail transformation experience from a large retail conglomerate, Child arrives with brand turnaround credentials, and McConnell provides internal continuity for Supercheap Auto.
Bradshaw acknowledged the contribution of departing executives Burns and Williams, crediting Burns with helping “grow and transform our business, while delivering value for our customers and sustainable returns for our shareholders” over 13 years, and Williams with leading rebel through “COVID, the rollout of a formidable store network” and loyalty programme launch.
The incoming team’s combined experience spans financial leadership in large-scale retail operations, heritage brand revitalisation, global retail consulting, and internal Super Retail Group operations. This mix positions the Group to execute on the referenced five-year strategy with experienced operators in key leadership positions.
| Role | Appointee | Start Date | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Financial Officer | Sarah Hunter | 1 June 2026 | Officeworks MD, Coles Group senior roles, led Australia’s largest corporate demerger |
| rebel Managing Director | Jenny Child | 1 June 2026 | Oroton CEO (2021-2025), McKinsey Partner (15 years), brand turnaround specialist |
| Supercheap Auto Managing Director | Ben McConnell | Immediate (permanent) | 25+ years Super Retail Group, interim MD since November 2025, internal promotion |
Super Retail Group now enters a strategic inflection point with leadership continuity secured across its finance function and two of its three retail brands.
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