Fashion group Universal Store Holdings (ASX:UNI) – the owner of Thrills, Perfect Stranger and its namesake retailer – has confirmed that its group managing director and CEO Alice Barbery will retire from her role on October 31, 2026.
Following her exit, divisional CEO George Do, who was tasked to look after Universal Store and Perfect Stranger, will take on the lead role from November 1.
Barbery will continue on with the fashion group following her exit, stepping into the Board of Directors as a non-executive director from February 1, 2027. She has committed to providing consulting support to George in the ongoing development of the Cheap Thrills Co business and to become a member of the CTC advisory board.
Barbery has been part of the business for 24 years. She was initially engaged as a retail specialist to help the founders build the business’s operating framework.
She joined the company in 2009 as chief operating officer and in 2017 was appointed CEO. When the company listed in 2020, she was nudged up to group managing director.
“On behalf of the Board and the Universal team, I would like to thank Alice for her outstanding leadership of the company over the past 17 years,” UNI chair Peter Birtles said.
“During this time, she has overseen the continued strong growth and performance of the Universal Store retail banner, the creation and successful rollout of the Perfect Stranger retail banner and the acquisition of the CTC business.
“Most importantly, her steadfast focus on the importance of culture, development of internal talent and putting the customer at the heart of all decision making has created strong foundations for the company’s future growth. We are delighted that Alice will continue to contribute to the Company when she joins the Board in early 2027.”
Her successor George Do also has a long tenure at Universal Store, joining the business over 20 years ago in 2005. He began on the store floor, then, after completing his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland in 2009, he was appointed as Menswear Buyer.
He was promoted to Head of Product in 2011 and established the Private Brand department, including the in-house product design and development team.
Do was appointed to the position of Universal Store & Perfect Stranger CEO on March 1 last year.
“George’s appointment reflects his outstanding contribution to the Group over 20 years, the confidence in the current Group strategy and the importance of sustaining the Group’s unique culture and operating model,” Birtles said.
“George has been a member of the Company’s executive leadership team for 15 years, he is highly regarded by the UNI team and over the last 13 months, his performance in the role of CEO of the Universal Store and Perfect Stranger has clearly demonstrated his capability to lead the wider Group.”