After 12 years in the role.
John Gillam will step down from his role as Bunnings CEO, but continue to support the business in an advisory role. As well as providing advice and support, he will continue to chair the Bunnings Group Council, which was established at the time of the Homebase acquisition to coordinate Bunnings activity across all markets.
Bunnings Australia and New Zealand managing director, Mike Schneider and Bunnings UK and Ireland managing director, Peter (PJ) Davis will now report directly to Wesfarmers managing director, Richard Goyder.
In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Goyder said, “John has worked in our business development team, been CFO of Bunnings, company secretary of the Wesfarmers Group and managing director of CSBP, before taking over as leader of Bunnings in 2004. He was also chairman of Officeworks for eight years.”
“In every role he has been outstanding and left an incredible and positive legacy. His performance at the helm of Bunnings is now a national institution. The recent acquisition of Homebase in the UK and Ireland has provided our company with a new platform for long-term future growth.”
Gillam said he had enjoyed being a part of the Wesfarmers group for the best part of two decades and an absolute privilege to have led and worked with the wider team at Bunnings.
“I firmly believe that now is the right time to pass on the leadership baton. Mike and PJ have been outstanding leaders in helping drive the growth and success of Bunnings and are well placed to take the business forward. I look forward to continuing to support the Bunnings team in an advisory capacity, while also having the opportunity in the coming years to pursue other interests,” he said.