WooliesX’s managing director Amanda Bardwell is set to become CEO of Woolworths Group in September, as current chief Brad Banducci retires.
Amanda Bardwell (Credit: LinkedIn)
The head of the grocery retailer’s digital and online arm was today announced as Banducci’s successor.
Bardwell was selected “following an extensive international search process supported by external consultants”, the retailer said in a financial filing [pdf].
“Amanda is a proven leader, business builder and modern retailer,” Woolworths Group chair Scott Perkins said.
“Most recently, under her leadership, WooliesX has gone from infancy in 2015 to a $7 billion market leading business.
“Amanda is highly respected throughout the organisation and I know, like Brad, will live our purpose and work hard to achieve Woolworths Group’s full potential.”
Bardwell has led WooliesX since May 2017, through the enormous scale-up of the operation to meet the digital demands of the retail group during the pandemic.
Under her leadership, ecommerce as a percentage of total sales has increased markedly.
Perkins also paid tribute to Banducci’s hand in “building digital, ecommerce and analytics capabilities that are seen by our peers as world leading”.
Banducci will leave in September after eight-and-a-half years as group CEO, and a total of 13 years with the group.
Woolworths did not say who would lead the WooliesX business once Bardwell makes the switch.
The leadership change comes as supermarkets face increased government and regulatory scrutiny around competition and pricing.
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