Former David Jones boss on the ideal time to quit as CEO

Paul Zahra, the former chief executive of David Jones, says, as a general rule, there is a minimum and maximum amount of time a CEO should be in the role.

Paul Zahra is usually in bed by 8am and up at 4.30am. Louie Douvis

Sally Patten and Lap Phan

Sep 24, 2024 – 6.24am

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Paul Zahra, the chief executive of the Australian Retailers Association, says the best piece of advice is knowing when to leave. It can refer to leaving a party or a relationship, and it is particularly important when it comes to leaving a job.

Zahra reckons a CEO should hang around for five years at the most, but no less than two years.

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Sally PattenBOSS editorSally Patten edits BOSS, and writes about workplace issues. She was the financial services editor and personal finance editor of the AFR, The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. She edited business news for The Times of London.