Kmart Group’s parent company Wesfarmers has appointed former Big W managing director Julie Coates as a non-executive director, commencing her role on May 1, 2025.
It comes as non-executive director Jennifer Westacott plans to retire in 2025, as foreshadowed in 2022.
After commencing as a director in mid-2025, Coates will stand for election at the 2025 Annual General Meeting in October.
Coates has had an extensive senior executive career in the retail, building materials and fast-moving consumer goods sectors. She has also had experience as a non-executive director of ASX-listed companies.
Early in her working life, Coates held various executive roles at Officeworks, Target Australia and David Jones.
In 2002, she joined Woolworths Group, covering roles such as human resources director, chief logistics officer and managing director of Big W.
Most recently, Coates was CEO and managing director of building materials company CSR Limited from 2019 until the company was acquired and delisted from the ASX in July 2024.
From 2015 to 2019, Coates was managing director, Australia and New Zealand, of Goodman Fielder. She has also been a non-executive director of Coca-Cola Amatil Limited (2018-2019) and of Spotless Group Holdings Ltd (2016-2017).
Coates is currently a director of the Green Building Council of Australia and from 2015 to 2019 was a director of the Australian Food & Grocery Council.
Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney said that Coates would be an excellent addition to the board.
“Julie brings a blend of skills and attributes gained from working in a range of organisations, industries and functions that are highly complementary to Wesfarmers, including relevant retail experience, which position her well to contribute to the Board’s oversight of the diverse businesses in the Group,” Chaney said. “We look forward to Julie joining the Board.”
Coates welcomed the new position.
“My previous roles have given me valuable perspectives on Wesfarmers businesses – whether as a customer, supplier, competitor or a team member – and I’m keen to use my experiences and capabilities to contribute to Wesfarmers’ success in delivering satisfactory returns to shareholders,” she said.
Chaney then thanked Westacott for her considerable contribution to the company and said he was looking forward to working with her over the next twelve months.
“Jennifer commenced as a director in April 2013 and continues to be an exceptional director. The board and company have benefited from Jennifer’s deep experience in business and government, and the interactions between the two, including as Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia until October 2023.
“In addition, Jennifer has provided valuable leadership and commercial insights to guide Wesfarmers and its businesses.”
Westacott will remain a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Nomination Committee until her retirement. She said it had been a privilege to serve as a director of Wesfarmers.
“With an unwavering focus on shareholder returns, Wesfarmers is a remarkable company,” she said. “It has been pleasing through my tenure as a director to see the company continuing to deliver for shareholders and I have appreciated the opportunity to contribute to this.
“I look forward to continuing in my role until the 2025 Annual General Meeting and thank the company’s shareholders and my fellow directors for their ongoing support.”