Myer executive chair Olivia Wirth has restructured her executive team

Olivia Wirth has restructured her executive ranks as the department store group integrates billionaire Solomon Lew’s clothing brands portfolio.

Myer executive chair Olivia Wirth in their Bourke Street store. Picture: Aaron Francis

Myer boss Olivia Wirth has restructured her executive ranks, including appointing a new finance chief who once did the numbers at David Jones, as she refashions her team to take on the challenge of buying billionaire Solomon Lew’s clothing brands portfolio.

The retailer also announced on Friday that its underperforming fashion brands sass & bide, Marcs and David Lawrence would be transitioned to its Myer exclusive brands division as work on improving the returns from those brands is ramped up.

Ms Wirth, who holds the powerful role as executive chairman of the department store owner, has unpicked the leadership team she found when she joined Myer in June, bringing in former colleagues from her time at Qantas and hand-picking executives from other industries.

Now that revamp has moved up a notch in pace and impact with Myer appointing a new chief financial officer, hiring four other executives and beginning a search for the new role of chief product officer who will be responsible for Myer exclusive brands and its in-house brands sass & bide, Marcs and David Lawrence.

It also come as Ms Wirth and her expanded team bed down the recent purchase of the apparel brands business from Mr Lew’s Premier Investments. The deal has handed Myer ownership of Portmans, Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Dotti and Jacqui E as well as turning a company with 783 department and specialty stores, 17,300 staff and combined sales of more than $4bn.

Ms Wirth, who is the first executive chairman of Myer since it was owned by private equity two decades ago, will have to tackle this much larger business as well as lead the board and the executives.

Premier Investments chairman and retail billionaire Solomon Lew. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

On Friday Myer announced that given its significant expansion following the combination with Mr Lew’s apparel brands, it had appointed Kathy Karabatsas as its new CFO effective on Friday. This means that after eight years with the business, CFO Matt Jackman will be leaving the business to pursue other opportunities, Myer said.

Ms Karabatsas has held senior leadership roles across retail and consumer goods industries including as CFO at rival department store David Jones and finance director of Lion Dairy & Drinks.

Megan Collins has been appointed chief people officer and will join on April 28. Ms Collins has more than 25 years of global and domestic experience in human resources roles in a range of companies including Newcrest Mining, Treasury Wine Estates and General Electric.

Belinda Slifkas has been appointed chief merchandise officer to lead Myer’s merchandise, buying and planning team. Ms Slifkas, who has more than three decades of experience in international wholesale and retail businesses, is currently Myer’s general merchandise manager apparel, home and entertainment.

Mark Medwell commenced as chief information officer in February, joining Myer after more than eight years with the Cotton On Group, where he was responsible for the end-to-end technology function for more than 1400 stores across 23 countries.

Darren Wedding commenced as chief supply chain officer in March, joining Myer from Super Retail Group, the ASX-listed owner of a multi-brands business including Rebel, Supercheap Auto, Macpac and BCF.

“These leadership changes materially enhance our capability to drive the next phase of growth for the expanded Myer,” Ms Wirth said. “The new appointments bring world-class expertise in multi-brands and department store environments and a track record of financial, retail and supply chain success to the Myer Group.

“The reshaped team is aligned to our strategic vision to create a leading Australian retail platform, building on the strength of our brands with the fresh thinking and expertise of experienced retail, sourcing and supply chain leaders.”