Embattled department store chain Myer has moved to address criticisms about a lack of retail experience on its board by appointing Julie Ann Morrison as a director.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Myer's announcement on Tuesday of Ms Morrison's appointment comes after last week's move to fast-track the replacement of chairman Paul McClintock with Garry Hounsell.
"The board believes that as a result of her wide experience in fashion and retail Julie Ann is well placed to make a valuable contribution to the Myer Board," said chairman-elect Mr Hounsell whose new position becomes effective at the company's annual general meeting in November
Ms Morrison already has experience with Myer, having served as a director for about 18 months of the subsidiary board which operates the sass & bide fashion brand.
In July this year, she was also appointed to a broader role as chairman of Speciality Brands Australia, a Myer subsidiary which runs the sass & bide, Marcs and David Lawrence fashion businesses.
"I'm very excited to work more closely with the Myer Holdings directors, many of whom I've been directly engaged with during my time working with Myer's specialty brands subsidiaries," she said in a statement.
"Myer has a talented management team and an experienced board. I look forward to making a positive contribution to the good work they are doing."
A lack of retail expertise has been one of the themes of the criticism levelled at Myer by its two biggest shareholders.
Solomon Lew, who holds 10.8 per cent of Myer through his listed Premier Investments, accused the company of being "run primarily by consultants" and failing to deliver products consumers wanted.
Anton Tagliaferro, of Investors Mutual, which holds just over 10 per cent of Myer shares, has reportedly said "proven retail experience" on the board would not go amiss.
Ms Morrison was managing director of Bulgari UK from 2012 to 2014 as well as running the company's Australian arm for seven years.
She was also the managing director of FJB Australia which had rights for brands including Gucci, Guess, Moschino, Lanvin and Fendi in south-east Asia and Australia.
While at FJB, she also established an international licensing business for local and US brands, including accessories for David Lawrence, Sportscraft, Ann Taylor (US) and Bill Blass (US).
Ms Morrison is also an advisory board member and consultant to Carla Zampatti.
