Group Executive

Dave Fenlon - Group Managing Director
Dave joined the business as General Manager for Angus & Robertson in January 2006 and was then appointed ARW Group Chief Operating Officer in 2007. In 2009 Dave became Group Managing Director of REDgroup retail announcing the merge of Angus & Robertson, Borders Asia Pacific, Whitcoulls, Supanews, Calendar Club and Casual Leasing. Dave has a wealth of experience and knowledge of the retail trade both in Australia and abroad. He has added to that a strong understanding of the book industry and the diverse challenges it brings.

Dave started his retail career with Safeway Plc in the UK in 1986 in a store management position, before progressing through various regional management roles, ultimately becoming a key member of a change programme tasked with enhancing the retail division’s ability to effectively build customer loyalty and drive sales at the customer interface. This was followed by a move to Hungary to take up the position of Operations Director for Tesco Plc, where he was responsible for store operations of 35 hypermarkets and 35 supermarkets, as well as the functions of retail, HR, finance, retail supply chain and new store opening divisions.
 
James Webber - Business Development & Ecommerce Director
James Webber is the Business Development & Ecommerce Director for the group. In this role, James oversees the Network department, the internet businesses and evaluates growth initiatives within the group.  James is also a Director of Supanews Retail Pty Ltd, the joint venture between the REDgroup retail and the Supanews Newsagency chain in Australia.

Prior to this James was the Managing Director of [Corporate Services] for the group encompassing Group Property, and he has also played a significant role in the development of Calendar Club and Casual leasing under REDgroup retail ownership. James was also previously Managing Director of the Group’s Travel Retail Division, where he was responsible for doubling the size of the business, managing the business turnaround and ultimately managing the disposal of the Australian, Singapore and Hong Kong Travel assets in October 2005.

James transferred from his position as European Development Manager for WH Smith Europe Travel Retail in 1999 to setup the first WH Smith store in Australia, at Sydney International Airport. Prior to working with WH Smith, he spent 9 years with Shell International managing retail service station networks in Argentina, Egypt, the UK and Ireland. James has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Edinburgh University, an MBA from Manchester Business School and a distinction in International Business Strategy from the Stockholm School of Economics.
 
Jerome Gauder - Managing Director - Australia
Jerome Gauder is Managing Director for Australia with responsibility for the management of our Angus & Robertson and Borders brands. Jerome joined the group in 1996 and was appointed as Group Commercial Director for Redgroup Retail in August 2009. Jerome's previous roles at Redgroup include Operations Director, General Manager Casual Leasing, including Calendar Club,Casual Lease book retailing and distribution/warehousing for Angus & Robertson. Previously he held various roles including Calendar Club Operations Manager and General Manager for Australia and New Zealand.
 
Prior to joining Angus & Robertson Jerome worked for Woolworths/Safeway and Dairy Farm International primarily in fresh food management.
 
Peter Kalan - Managing Director New Zealand
Peter Kalan is the Managing Director for New Zealand with responsibility for Whitcoulls, Borders and Bennetts. Peter joined REDgroup Retail in August 2008 to lead the integration of Borders and manage profit improvement initiatives.

Prior to joining the Group, Peter was with Pacific Equity Partners and their portfolio companies. He was GM Business Development at Godfreys, Australasia’s leading floorcare retailer. He developed a supply chain strategy, integrated two business units, disposed of freehold properties, improved franchise management and re-focused marketing spend. He was also an Associate Director at Pacific Equity Partners, a leading Australasian private equity investor. Peter’s previous experience in consumer and retail includes PepsiCo and the Boston Consulting Group. Peter studied at Brown and Dartmouth in the USA.
 
Tim Murphy - HR Director
Tim Murphy is responsible for the attraction, retention and development of people across all brands.
 
Joining the business as Training and Development Manager in 2006, Tim was appointed H.R Manager for Angus & Robertson in March 2008 moving into the Human Resources Director role for ARW in early 2009.  Tim has a broad retail operational background having worked for The Adidem Group (The Body Shop Australia), where he headed up their Group Learning and Development function working in both the Australian and Asia Pacific markets.
 
Tony Ristevski - Chief Financial Officer
Tony Ristevski has been the Chief Financial Officer for REDgroup retail since he joined the business in October 2008. In addition to his CFO responsibilities, Tony also manages logistics, payroll, IT and leasing.

Prior to joining the group, Tony held various senior finance roles with Computershare Limited based across Australia, the US and the UK from 2000. Tony’s most recent role was CFO – Asia Pacific Region and Global Technology Group. During his time, Tony had undertaken numerous restructure and post acquisition integration roles both in Australia and globally. He was also the financial lead on many acquisitions, including their first public company takeover in Australia and establishing joint ventures in India and Japan.

Previous to Computershare, Tony was with Pacific Dunlop Limited having worked in Pacific Brands Group and Group Head Office. His roles focussed on financial systems and group reporting. Tony started his career in professional practise with Clarke & Company and later Coopers & Lybrand where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Tony has a bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and a MBA from Melbourne Business School.

Conor O'Malley - Group Specialist Retail Director
Conor has responsibility for the Supanews, Casual Leasing and Calender Club businesses as well as responsibility for the Group Programme Office.

Conor came to Australia in August 2006 having been appointed as Group Executive Logistics and Planning for National Foods. In February 2010 Conor left National Foods as Group Executive Corporate Services and Logistics; a role that combined responsibility as Chief Procurement Officer, Chief Logistics Officer, Chief of Shared Services and functional responsibility for Group Safety.

Prior to coming to Australia Conor had 18 years experience within in the UK supply chain industry. In the 3PL sector his last position was Director responsible for Wincanton’s retail business for Tesco, Somerfield and as the Country Director for all contracts in Northern Ireland. Prior to that, he held Board level positions as Logistics and Supply Director in both the catalogue and drinks wholesale sectors.

Allison Smith - Group Brand & Strategy Director

Allison is responsible for the customer positioning of our brands across the group and ensuring that the group strategy supports and grows our market position.

Allison joined RedGroup Retail from Pacific Brands in May 2010 where she had been the General Manager Transformation for Pacific Brands major supply chain change program. Allison steered the business from local manufacturing to a best in class importer.

Prior to this Allison was Director of Cosmetics, Footwear and Accessories for Myer and joined the team as part of the TPG acquisition of Myer from the Coles Myer Group. Allison was a key member of the Executive team who led the turnaround of this Iconic Australian Department Store. During her time with Myer she also led the successful relaunch of the Myer Gift Registry, growth of the third party shop in shop concepts and many of the projects which led to the financial success of the company.

Prior to Myer Allison held the positions of Director of Retail, Director of Supply Chain and CFO of Nike Pacific.

Allison also has 13 years experience in Management Consulting