Former Woolworths boss Roger Corbett has called on Peter Hearl, chairman of Dan Murphy’s parent, Endeavour Group, to step aside, even if activist nominee Bill Wavish fails to get elected at a contested annual meeting next week.

Proxy advisory firms last week urged clients to vote against Mr Wavish’s election, after he was nominated with the backing of 15 per cent shareholder and pubs billionaire Bruce Mathieson.