Investor and Media Centre

Ari Mervis

Chairman & Independent Non-Executive Director

• Member of the Board since 20 September 2021
• Chairman from 9 November 2023
• Member – Audit, Finance and Risk Committee
• Member – Nomination Committee

Ari has broad global experience spanning a range of industries in branded goods, consumer staples, agriculture, food and beverages. Ari’s career includes more than 25 years with global brewer SABMiller plc, including nearly 10 years as Managing Director of the Asia Pacific region. In this role, Ari was Chairman of China Resources Snow Breweries, a joint venture between China Resources Enterprises and SABMiller for 8 years, and Chairman of SAB India and SAB Vietnam. He was also responsible for the acquisition and integration of Carlton and United Breweries by SABMiller.

More recently, Ari was the Executive Chairman of Accolade Wines from 2018 to 2020, and Managing Director and CEO of Murray Goulburn from 2017 to 2018.

Ari brings a wealth of experience in formulating and executing strategies that helps drive top line growth in a sustainable and responsible manner. Ari has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Witwatersrand.

Other current directorships
Ari is a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of McPherson’s Limited.

John King

Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

• Member of the Board since 4 June 2018

John was appointed CEO & Managing Director on 4 June 2018. In this role, John has overall accountability for Myer and was responsible for the creation of its successful Customer First Plan which continues to transform all parts of the business with a focus on improved profitability, strengthened balance sheet and future capability.

John brings to the role more than 30 years’ retail experience in merchandising and management roles across a variety of retail sectors, including department stores, value retail and wholesale apparel.

John started his career at Sainsbury’s and also worked for Marks & Spencer before taking senior roles in the manufacturing and wholesale sector in the UK and the USA. John successfully led Matalan from 2003 to 2006, an apparel and housewares retailer based in the UK, where he launched new brands, opened 20 new stores and successfully sold the company back to the founder. Following Matalan, John led the successful turnaround of House of Fraser from 2006 to 2015. During his tenure he improved the product differentiation, decreased debt, improved EBITDA and repositioned the business as one of the leading premium department stores in the UK.

Dave Whittle

Independent Non-Executive Director

• Member of the Board since 30 November 2015
• Chairman – Audit, Finance and Risk Committee
• Member – Nomination Committee
• Member – Human Resources and Remuneration Committee

Dave has considerable brand, data, technology, omni-channel retail and digital transformation experience. He is a Founder of Lexer, a global software company helping brands and retailers genuinely understand and engage their customers.

Previously, Dave spent 10 years with global advertising group M&C Saatchi in a number of local and international leadership roles, culminating in three years as Managing Director in Australia. Prior to joining M&C Saatchi, Dave was the first employee of a marketing services group that built four digital service and software businesses.

Dave has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University.

Other current directorships
Dave is a Director of Lexer Pty Ltd and Michael Hill International Limited.

Jacquie Naylor

Independent Non-Executive Director

• Member of the Board since 27 May 2019
• Member – Nomination Committee
• Chairman – Human Resources and Remuneration Committee

Jacquie was appointed as a Non-Executive Director on 27 May 2019. Jacquie brings to the role a wealth of experience and knowledge of both women’s and men’s apparel, homewares and outdoor brands. She has been an owner, Director and Executive at some of the most iconic Australian retailers. Jacquie has held the position of Non-Executive Director at The PAS Group and was a Non-Executive Director of Macpac Retail.

At the Just Jeans Group, Jacquie was a Group Executive Director and responsible for driving the merchandise, marketing and brand strategies of five of their key brands including Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Portmans, Jacqui E and Dotti.

Jacquie has extensive experience in portfolio optimisation through vertical integration and a track record of driving brand growth and strategic transformation.

Jacquie was a Non-Executive Director of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival for more than 13 years and remains committed to showcasing the fashion industry as well as new and emerging talent. Jacquie is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and of the International Women’s Forum.

Other current directorships
Jacquie is a Non-Executive Director of Cambridge Clothing Ltd and Michael Hill International Limited.

Terry McCartney

Non-Executive Director

• Member of the Board since 10 November 2022
• Member – Audit, Finance and Risk Committee
• Member – Nomination Committee

Terry has had a comprehensive career spanning more than 40 years in retail in both Executive and Director positions, spanning the full spectrum of retailing – ranging from luxury goods in department stores to mass merchandise discount operations.

Terry’s career started at Boans Department Stores in Perth, then moved to Grace Bros in Sydney. After the acquisition of Grace Bros by Myer, he relocated to the merged department stores group in Melbourne. His executive career culminated in his roles as Managing Director of Kmart Australia and New Zealand, and Managing Director of Myer Grace Bros.

Other Current Directorships: Terry has been a Non-Executive Director of Premier Investments Limited since 2016, and Premier’s wholly owned subsidiary, Just Group Limited, since 2008. Premier operates a portfolio of retail brands through the Just Group, consisting of Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Peter Alexander, Smiggle, Jacqui E, Portmans and Dotti. Terry has also served as the Chairman of Premier’s Remuneration and Nomination Committee since 2017.

Olivia Wirth

Independent Non-Executive Director

• Member of the Board since 9 November 2023

Olivia has a wealth of experience in CEO and senior executive roles, and possesses strong capability in customer experience and analytics, marketing, brand and loyalty, as well as corporate affairs and government relations.

Olivia previously held a number of other senior leadership roles at Qantas after commencing there in 2009, including Chief Customer Officer, Group Executive, Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs and Group Executive for Government Relations and Corporate Affairs. She has been a member of the Group Management Committee since 2010.

Prior to Qantas, Olivia held senior executive roles for a number of organisations including lobby group, the Tourism and Transport Forum and the Australian Tourist Commission.

Olivia is on the Board of UNICEF Australia and since 2018 and is also a board director of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Gary Weiss AM

Independent Non-Executive Director

• Member of the Board since 9 November 2023

Gary has extensive global experience across a range of industries, both at executive and board levels.

Gary was Chairman of Ridley Corporation Limited from June 2010 until August 2020, ClearView Wealth Limited from July 2013 until May 2016 and of Coats plc from 2003 until April 2012 and executive director of Guinness Peat Group plc from 1990 to April 2011. He has also held directorships of numerous companies, including The Straits Trading Co Ltd in Singapore, Premier Investments Limited, Tag Pacific Limited, Westfield Group, Tower Australia Ltd, Australian Wealth Management Limited, Tyndall Australia Ltd (Deputy Chairman), Joe White Maltings Ltd (Chairman), CIC Ltd, Whitlam Turnbull & Co Ltd and Industrial Equity Ltd. Dr Weiss was also a director of Brisbane Broncos Ltd (formerly Pacific Sports Entertainment Ltd), an ASX-listed company which owns the Brisbane Broncos.

Gary is also a Commissioner of the Australian Rugby League Commission.

In 2019, Gary was awarded the Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to business, and to the community.

Gary holds an LLB (Hons) and LLM from Victoria University of Wellington and a Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) from Cornell University. He was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Other Current Directorships: Gary is Executive Director of Ariadne Australia Ltd, and Chairman of Ardent Leisure Limited, Cromwell Property Group and Estia Health Limited. He is a Non-Executive Director of Hearts & Minds Investments Limited, Thorney Opportunities Limited, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and The Centre for Independent Studies.