As the first female chief executive of a big supermarket chain, Leah Weckert has stamped her mark on Coles, narrowing the gap between larger rival Woolworths, improving its online delivery service and calmly and methodically defending the retailer – and the industry – against a barrage of criticism from politicians over grocery prices.

The Adelaide-born Weckert took over the top job in May last year, succeeding Steven Cain. She held various roles at the retailer before ascending to the chief executive position, which placed her in good stead to weather the storm facing the big supermarkets. She knows the company inside and out.