Rolling with disruption

“If I look back in 5 years’ time, and together as an industry we haven’t embraced the opportunity to really make a difference in sustainability, training and skills development, diversity and women in the workforce… I’ll be disappointed because I feel we have such a privileged position representing so many people across Australia.”  

In this episode of Retail Therapy, we speak with Sarah Hunter, the Managing Director of Officeworks – the go-to retailer for so many of us when it comes to office supplies, tech equipment and for families when it’s time for back to school. 

Prior to taking on the lead role at Officeworks in 2019, Sarah was Demerger Program Director at Coles, overseeing the successful implementation of the demerger of the business from Wesfarmers in 2018. Sarah joined Coles in 2010, and held various senior positions, including General Manager Workplace Strategy; State General Manager Victoria; Financial Controller and General Manager of Finance for Coles Express, Coles Liquor and Coles Supermarket Operations. Before joining Coles, Sarah worked in the United Kingdom for more than 10 years, holding a number of senior commercial positions in banking and airports, including Strategy and Finance Director at Gatwick Airport from 2006 to 2010.  

In this episode, Paul and Sarah discuss: 

• Putting customers at the heart of decision making  
• Growing through COVID-19 and dealing with ongoing lockdowns as a team  
• Flexible working and the future of the workforce  
• Embracing technology in all forms and QR code confidence 
• The day in a life of a Managing Director 
• Embracing the opportunity of diversity and inclusion 
• Officeworks’s sustainability journey in the circular economy 
• Women in retail and the importance of participation 
• The importance of belonging, rather than inclusion  

Learn more about American Express.

ABOUT THE ARA: 

The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest and largest Australian retail industry group, representing the $340 billion retail sector that employs approximately 1.2 million people nationwide. Learn more: retail.org.au ​ 

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