Coles Group has today announced a number of changes to the executive leadership team that will take effect over the next five months.
Current Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Leah Weckert will be appointed Chief Executive, Commercial & Express, and will assume the role in April 2022.
Ms Weckert joined Coles in 2011 and was appointed CFO in March 2018, having held a number of leadership roles across Coles in merchandise, operations, human resources and strategy.
“During her time as CFO, Ms Weckert has successfully led the finance, treasury, strategy, business development and investor relations functions, including playing a significant role in the demerger of Coles from Wesfarmers. In her new role as Chief Executive, Commercial & Express, Ms Weckert will lead Coles Supermarket’s Business Units and Own Brand teams, as well as the Coles Express business,” Coles said in a statement.
Current Chief Executive, Commercial & Express Greg Davis will continue in his role as Ms Weckert transitions into the role in the new year. Mr Davis will be leaving Coles following the handover.
Charlie (Sharbel Raymond) Elias has been appointed to succeed Leah Weckert as CFO. Mr Elias will join Coles on 1 December 2021 and will work through a transition period with Ms Weckert before assuming the role of CFO on 28 February 2022, following the release of Coles’ FY22 half year results.
Coles’ Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Steven Cain says: “Leah’s knowledge of the business, our sector and the broader market will be important in the role of Chief Executive, Commercial & Express. We wish her continued success as she develops her career at Coles.
“I am also delighted to welcome Charlie to Coles. Charlie’s broad executive experience and deep financial knowledge in large scale organisations, and projects, will be invaluable to Coles as we continue to execute our strategy to ‘win in our second century’.
“Finally, I would like to thank Greg for his valuable contribution to the growth and success of the business since he joined Coles in 2009, which included delivering on our refreshed strategy in his current role and leading Coles as Chief Operating Officer through the demerger. We thank him and wish him well in his future endeavours,” Mr Cain concluded.
