Paul Graham to become new Australia Post CEO

Australia Post has announced its new chief executive after Christine Holgate left the company in the wake of a Cartier watches scandal.

Australia Post has appointed Woolworths executive Paul Graham as its new chief executive.

The company’s global search for a new boss comes after Christine Holgate resigned from the role in November following revelations senior executives were gifted expensive Cartier watches.

Mr Graham was on Monday also announced as the company’s new managing director.

Woolworths chief supply chain officer Paul Graham is heading to Australia Post. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

He said he looked forward to joining Australia Post after working as chief supply chain officer at Woolworths Group.

“Australia Post has proven itself to be one of the most resilient and successful postal businesses anywhere in the world,” Mr Graham said in a statement.

“I feel fortunate to be joining at a time when we can truly capitalise on the extraordinary growth in e-commerce experienced in the past year and continue developing our retail and digital offerings while keeping letter deliveries strong.

“I am most looking forward to meeting the team across the country – the posties, post office workers, mail processors and delivery drivers that kept our country operating during COVID-19.”

Former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate said she was ‘thrown under the bus’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Australia Post chairman Lucio Di Bartolomeo said Mr Graham was an outstanding candidate with strong logistics, digital and retail experience both in Australia and overseas.

Mr Graham, who will be paid $1.4m a year, will begin his new role in September.

Woolworths Group CEO, Brad Banducci, congratulated Mr Graham on the appointment.

“Paul has supported the transformation of our supply chain culture to one that puts customers and team first in everything we do,” Mr Banducci said.

Ms Holgate last week alleged she was “thrown under the bus” by management and never agreed to stand aside in a fiery written submission to a Senate inquiry.