Coles Group has announced executive leadership changes including a new Chief Executive for its Commercial and Express division.
Leah Weckert, currently Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will assume the role of Chief Executive, Commercial and Express, in April 2022. She will replace Greg Davis, who has decided to move on from Coles following the handover period in the new year.
Weckert joined Coles in 2011 and was appointed CFO in March 2018. During her time as CFO, she has successfully led the finance, treasury, strategy, business development and investor relations functions, including playing a significant role in the demerger of Coles from Wesfarmers.
In her new role as Chief Executive, Commercial and Express, Weckert will lead Coles Supermarket’s Business Units and Own Brand teams, as well as the Coles Express business.
Following an internal and external search process, Charlie (Sharbel Raymond) Elias has been appointed to succeed Weckert as CFO.
Elias joins Coles on 1 December and will work through a transition period with Weckert before assuming the role of CFO on 28 February 2022, following the release of Coles’ FY22 half year results.
Elias brings with him extensive finance and leadership experience, having most recently worked as the CEO of BlueScope Building Products Asia and North America.
Prior to that role, he was CFO of BlueScope Limited where his executive responsibilities included corporate finance, treasury, investor relations, M&A, audit, and insurance.
He has also worked as CFO and Executive Director for Linfox Group, and CFO and Head of Strategy and Business Development for TXU Australia.
Steven Cain, CEO and Managing Director, Coles, welcomed the new appointments and thanked Davis for his achievements during his time at Coles.
“Leah’s knowledge of the business, our sector and the broader market will be important in the role of Chief Executive, Commercial and Express. We wish her continued success as she develops her career at Coles.
“I am also delighted to welcome Charlie to Coles. Charlie’s broad executive experience and deep financial knowledge in large scale organisations, and projects, will be invaluable to Coles as we continue to execute our strategy to ‘win in our second century’.
“Finally, I would like to thank Greg for his valuable contribution to the growth and success of the business since he joined Coles in 2009, which included delivering on our refreshed strategy in his current role and leading Coles as Chief Operating Officer through the demerger. We thank him and wish him well in his future endeavours.”