DJs CEO David Thomas resigns three months after being cleared of discrimination complaint

David Jones chief executive David Thomas has resigned from his position at the department store chain for personal reasons after 18 months in the role. The news comes three months after a discrimination complaint was levelled against him.

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David Jones chief executive David Thomas yesterday resigned from his position at the department store, three months after he was investigated for — and cleared of — making homophobic slurs against an employee of the retailer.

His resignation, after just 18 months in the role, was “for personal reasons’’, which the company insisted had nothing to do with the allegations made against him.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal the same staff member has lodged a second complaint through a new legal firm against Mr Thomas. There is no suggestion his resignation was linked to this complaint.

David Thomas has quit as CEO of David Jones. Picture: John Grainger

Mr Thomas went on leave last week before yesterday’s announcement that he was departing the company.

The week’s leave prevented an embarrassing matter of timing, and stopped Mr Thomas’ departure from overshadowing the retail giant’s swanky season launch for 80 VIP guests at Mona in Tasmania on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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A David Jones spokesman said yesterday: “Mr Thomas resigned from the business for personal reasons.”

But the spokesman confirmed there had been a complaint of discrimination against Mr Thomas in November last year.

“Immediately following the complaint, an external legal firm was appointed by David Jones to conduct an investigation into the matter. No evidence was found to support the claim,” the spokesman said.

David Thomas and model Jessica Gomes ring the bell to countdown the opening of the Boxing Day sales. Picture: Mark Dadswell

When The Daily Telegraph caught up with Mr Thomas yesterday afternoon, he declined to discuss his departure.

“I’m running into my kid’s basketball training and I won’t be able to talk I’m afraid,” he said.

Asked about allegations that he had made discriminatory remarks about a staff member from South Africa he said: “I’ve got no comment to make, I’m just running into basketball now.”

Retail industry sources noted David Thomas’ absence from the launch of David Jones’ autumn and winter collection at the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania. Picture: AAP

Mr Thomas laughed but did not deny the suggestion he had been handed a settlement close to $1 million.

“No comment, as I said I’m just going into basketball now,” he said.

Mr Thomas is believed to have had treatment for a cancer on his head last year. It was not clear if this was linked to his departure.

Shoppers at the David Jones Boxing Day sales. Picture: John Grainger

He is the latest executive to be spun out of the upscale retailer’s revolving door which began with Mark McInnes’ departure in 2010 — making him the fourth chief executive to leave in the past five years.

In September 2017 he replaced Marks & Spencer executive John Dixon, who took over from Iain Nairn in 2016 after he replaced Paul Zahra, who came in after South African based Woolworths’ Holdings $2.1 billion takeover in 2014.

Ian Moir, the CEO of Woolworths Holdings, will take over running David Jones in the interim.