Department store David Jones has confirmed that Erica Berchtold is the retailer’s new chief executive officer, effective immediately, taking over the reins from Scott Fyfe.
Berchtold has served as chief commercial officer at the department store since mid-2025. She previously grew The Iconic into a major online retailer in Australia and New Zealand and served as managing director of Rebel Sport.
She is the first female CEO in David Jones’ 188-year history.
According to David Jones, Berchtold’s top priority is sharpening and accelerating the execution of the company’s five-year ‘INSPIRE30’ transformation plan. This includes operating model improvements for greater cost efficiency and capability, enhancing the commercial portfolio for better margins and brand strength, and lifting the David Jones brand through its customer offering and store network.
David Jones also announced today the completion of a new three-year, asset-backed lending facility with Hilco. The department store noted that this will improve its balance sheet and support its growth initiatives and supplier partnerships.
David Jones’ owner, Anchorage Capital Partners, thanked Scott Fyfe for his significant contribution over the last six years.
“Scott led the sale of the Company to Anchorage Capital Partners in 2022, the separation from Woolworths Holding of South Africa and the first phase of the transformation program,” Anchorage shared. “We are fully appreciative of his efforts during complex times and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Berchtold is currently a member of the Australia Post / NORA Consumer Advisory Group. She has also held numerous industry positions, having previously been a councillor on the board of the Australian Retailers Association, president of the Australian Sporting Goods Association and board member of the Sydney FC A-League club.
“It is a tremendous honour to be appointed CEO of David Jones, one of Australia’s most iconic retail brands with a proud 188-year history,” Berchtold said. “The refinancing allows us to stabilise and reset the business with a strong focus on growing our strategic core and modernising our technology and digital platforms.
“My aim is to further improve customer experience by curating our brand so that our strategy is aligned with our core values and the needs of our customers.
“I plan to lead our incredible team of people with decisive and results-oriented action.”
Hilco Capital – the company that currently owns Cue Clothing Co – shared that it was “delighted” to have formed a long-term relationship with the 188-year-old department store. “David Jones is well-positioned for a new growth phase and will be well led by incoming chief executive officer Erica Berchtold,” Hilco managing director and head of capital solutions (ANZ) Lewis McMenamin said.
A spokesman for Anchorage Capital Partners said the company appreciated the support of Gordon Brothers and Nomura through Horizon One of its investment in David Jones.
“The ABL facility supported Anchorage through this initial phase. We are pleased to be working with Hilco under a different capital structure to support the next phase.”
Fyfe said he and the board had agreed to conclude his tenure as part of a planned leadership transition.
“The board of David Jones and I have reached a mutual agreement to conclude my tenure as chief executive officer of David Jones as part of a management succession plan," Fyfe said.
"Over the past five and a half years, it has been an honour to lead the business through some of the most challenging times, starting with COVID, through a change of ownership and significant transformation across the business, delivering growth. I am proud of the culture and values that we have established and all of our achievements.”