Super Retail Group board chair Sally Pitkin steps down, Judith Swales to take over

Embattled Super Retail Group is to get a new board chair, with Sally Pitkin to step down after seven years.

The owner of Rebel Sport, Super Cheap Auto and Macpac on Wednesday announced Fonterra global markets chief executive Judith Swales will take over.

Ms Swales, who steps down from that Fonterra role next month, has been on Super Retail’s board since November 2021. She has also been on the boards of Dulux Group, Fosters and Virgin Australia.

Ms Pitkin had announced in 2022 her intention to step down.

“In her three years on the board, Judith has played an important role in board and committee deliberations, providing a future-focused perspective based on market and customer trends,” Ms Pitkin said of her successor.

“I look forward to working with Judith as chair-elect over coming months to ensure a smooth transition.”

Super Retail Group is awaiting a legal suit from a group of employees expected to jointly claim loss and damage of between $30 million and $50 million over allegations about its chief executive, Anthony Heraghty, not disclosing a personal relationship, as well as bullying, victimisation and adverser treatment.

The company, which plans to defend any legal action, took the unusual step of announcing it to the market in late April. To date, no case has yet been lodged.

Ms Swales said her appointment as chair of Super Retail Group was an honour.

“Super Retail Group has proven a remarkable success story in its two decades as a listed company and I am confident about the group’s prospects for long-term growth,” she said, adding she was planning to work closely with the board, Mr Heraghty and his team.

Ms Swales has also worked at UK retailer Marks & Spencer, and served as managing director of of Heinz Australia and Goodyear Dunlop.