LEADERSHIP
SQUAD

Our Leadership Squad sets business strategy and empowers our teams to deliver for our customers.

The Leadership Squad leverages a ‘collective leadership’ model, fostering an environment where cross-functional teams work collaboratively towards achieving a mission. This model focuses on working together to lead the business in an ever-changing environment, with most areas of our business having two Leadership Squad co-sponsors.

Left to right: Front: Jonathan Waecker, Jonathan Oram, Sarah Kearney, Tania Benyon, Simon West. Rear: Edwin Gear, Richard Parker, Nick Grayston, Ian Carter, Anna Shipley.

Nick Grayston

Group Chief Executive Officer

Nick was appointed Chief Executive of the Group in December 2015. His role focuses on building a profitable and sustainable business and leading a high performing team, putting our customers at the heart of everything that we do. Nick has led the business through a significant transformational programme to modernise the Company and implement the infrastructure necessary to build a customer-centric ecosystem and make the company future fit. As the leader of the Group, Nick works with the Board and the Leadership Squad to set the business strategy and drive our core values of think customer, do good and own it, ensuring that sustainability is woven into our thinking and planning and The Warehouse Group is here for good.

Jonathan Oram

Group Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan was appointed Group Chief Financial Officer in March 2018. He leads the finance, legal, compliance and risk, and property functions and co-sponsors the Business Solutions tribe. Jonathan resigned from the role of Chief Financial Officer in July and will leave the business in October.

Tania Benyon

Chief Product Officer

Tania is responsible for sourcing, merchandise and supply chain, building the best assortment of products for customers across our brands and ensuring they are delivered in the most efficient and timely fashion. She co-sponsors the Source to Customer Integrated Supply Chain, Supply Chain Execution, Nourish and Wellbeing, Technology, Dress My Family and Sports and Adventure tribes.

Ian Carter

Chief Store Operations Officer

Ian is responsible for developing and implementing store strategies that deliver great in-store experiences for our customers and team while maximising store sales and profitability. He co-sponsors the Group Store Sales, Group Business Operations, and Nourish and Business Solutions tribes.

Edwin Gear

Chief Information Officer

Edwin is responsible for leading the information services team, ensuring systems security and business continuity while eading technology transformation. He co-sponsors the Platforms, Productivity and Development, Group Business Operations, Source to Customer Integrated Supply Chain and Supply Chain Execution tribes.

Sarah Kearney

Chief Digital Officer

Sarah was appointed as our Chief Digital Officer in October 2021. She is responsible for our customer platforms, e-commerce channels and loyalty. Sarah co-sponsors that Group Online Sales, Customer Engagement, Platforms, Productivity and Development and Better Living tribes.

Richard Parker

Chief Human Resources Officer

Richard is responsible for attracting and retaining world-class retail talent and for ensuring that the Group is the best place to work in New Zealand for all of our team members. He co-sponsors the Human Resources, Agile COE and Executive Support functions.

Anna Shipley

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

Anna leads our Corporate Affairs function and strategic approach, shaping and sharing the stories that matter most to our business and team, as well as with Kiwis across the country. She sponsors the Corporate Affairs function and co-sponsors the Better Living tribe, Business Sales and Partnerships Chapter, and the Customer Care Chapter.

Jonathan Waecker

Chief Customer and Sales Officer

Jonathan is responsible for maximising customer experiences and sales within the Group’s brands, and for attracting, engaging and retaining customers through marketing, data and insights, customer experience, store operations and eCommerce activities, leading brand strategy, engaging customers and driving sales across the Group’s portfolio of brands. He also cosponsors the Group Store Sales, Customer Engagement, and Technology tribes as well as the Sustainability and Corporate Affairs functions.

Simon West

Chief Commercial Officer

Simon focuses on driving revenue and profitability across the Group, working to optimise margin and revenue management performance and ensuring it is consistent and connected across our brands. He co-sponsors the Sports and Adventure, Dress My Family and Group Online Sales tribes