Country Road managing director Elle Roseby departs as retailer battles sexual assault scandal

Country Road managing director Elle Roseby has made a shock exit from the scandal-plagued retailer with company insiders saying she was pushed out by a toxic “boys club” culture.

The managing director of Country Road has stepped down just two months after a sexual assault scandal rocked the fashion brand’s parent company.

Frustrated staff said Elle Roseby was pushed out of the role after six years because of a toxic “boys club” culture.

An investigation was sparked after multiple allegations by males and females were filed against former senior executive Rachid Maliki.

Staff accused the fashion brand, and chief executive Raju Vuppalapati, of a major cover up over Mr Maliki’s conduct, amid allegations of unsolicited touching and kissing.

Country Road managing director Elle Roseby has left the business. Picture: Stefan Postles

Formal complaints were first lodged in October last year, but whistleblower staff accused Mr Vuppalapati of running a protection racket for his friend.

Mr Maliki, who had been in the senior role since August 2022, had previously worked as a general manager at RM Williams while Mr Vuppalapati was chief executive of the shoe retailer.

After being appointed Country Road chief in 2021, Mr Vuppalapati brought Mr Maliki in to work for him in the senior leadership role.

Country Road whistleblowers told the Herald Sun that Ms Roseby, who resigned this week after six years in the role, was effectively forced out of the job.

“The executive leadership team were going after her because she stood up for the staff,” one source said.

“She had been calling out the inappropriate behaviour for months.

“The executive leadership team didn’t like that. They saw her as a troublemaker.”

Former senior Country Road executive Rachid Maliki faced allegations of harassment. Picture: Supplied

Another Country Road employee said staff were left shocked by Ms Roseby’s announcement.

“There’s no doubt people will leave now and try and follow her,” she said.

“She was the person holding it all together after everything that happened.

In an email to staff on Wednesday, Mr Vuppalapati said he would “work closely with the Country Road team” to find a replacement.

Another employee said Ms Roseby had “fought non stop” to protect workers and take their complaints seriously.

“We are utterly devastated,” they said.

“She couldn’t fight the boys club any longer.

“She runs rings around those guys and they were so intimidated by her greatness, that they pushed her until she couldn’t take it anymore.”

Country Road Group was contacted for comment.