Super Retail Group has revealed key shifts to its C-Suite team, including appointing former Oroton CEO Jenny Child as the new managing director of Rebel from June 1.
The group also poached Officeworks managing director Sarah Hunter who will take on the group’s CFO role from June 1, while Ben McConnell has been promoted to managing director of Supercheap Auto after an interim stint in the role.
Super Retail Group MD and CEO Paul Bradshaw said he is delighted to have Child on board to lead Rebel during what he calls a challenging and competitive time for the retail sector as a whole.
“Jenny’s experience shaping customer-led strategy and reviving a heritage brand with a focus on long-term growth and value will ensure Rebel is well placed to deliver on our ambitions.”
Speaking on her new role at Rebel, Child said she is excited to take on the retailer as fitness and wellbeing becomes a growing trend in the Australian market.
“Rebel is one of Australia’s favourite retail brands,” Child said. “I look forward to working with Paul, the executive team and the incredible Rebel team to help shape its next phase of growth.”
Child’s and Hunter’s appointments follow the retirements of long-serving CFO David Burns and Rebel managing director Gary Williams. Burns, who joined Super Retail Group as CFO in December 2012, will remain in the role of CFO to August 28, 2026 and will retire in November 2026.
Bradshaw thanked Burns for his contribution over the last 13 years, and thanked Williams for his leadership at Rebel over the past seven years. On Williams in particular, Bradshaw said he led the sporting retailer through COVID, pushed new store formats including rCX, and grew global partnerships and launched its Rebel Active loyalty program.
Bradshaw also welcomed Sarah into the new role as group CFO, saying she is an accomplished leader who shares a customer-focused approach to retail management. “Sarah is a strong financial and transformation leader with demonstrated operational depth and she will be a significant asset to our business as we prepare to embark on our new five-year strategy,” he said.
In her prior role at Officeworks, Hunter led a team of more than 9,000 across 173 stores, offices and distribution centres.
“Like millions of Australians, I am passionate about Super Retail Group’s brands and I am thrilled to be joining the group to help deliver a new phase of growth with Paul and the leadership team,” Hunter said. “This is an exciting period for Super Retail Group and I look forward to working with the team to grow its much-loved brands and continue its customer-first approach.”
As for McConnell, his solidification in the MD role for Supercheap Auto is effective immediately, having served in the role in an interim capacity since November 2025.
He brings more than 25 years of ecommerce, operations and marketing experience within the group, more recently in lead roles at BCF. Super Retail Group also manages Macpac.
Bradshaw said McConnell is a passionate, customer-driven leader. “His strong people-focus, operational and omni-channel experience will ensure Supercheap Auto is well positioned to grow and transform to better serve our customers.”
McConnell added that Supercheap Auto is a leading automotive retailer in Australia, adding that it is a privilege to be appointed to the lead role.
“Originally starting on the shop floor with Supercheap Auto in 2000, I have spent more than 25 years working across various functions within SRG. I’m excited to now lead this brand and build on our strong culture while delivering a leading customer experience.”
The move follows a decent lift in sales across Super Retail’s four subsidiaries, albeit at the cost of profitability. Group sales for the first half of FY26 grew by 4.2 per cent to $2.19 billion, with its statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) falling by nearly 20 per cent to $104 million
Rebel sales lifted 4.8 per cent in that time frame, while its gross margin declined by 40 basis points due to an increase in promotional activity throughout the period. Stock loss levels also remain elevated, however management noted that actions taken to date have halted the upward trend, resulting in no incremental negative gross margin impact in the half.