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IGA boss vouches for ex-Dick Smith chair

igaThe boss of Australia’s largest independent supermarket operator has defended Metcash chairman Rob Murray in the face of calls for him to resign over his former role at Dick Smith.

Ritchies IGA CEO Fred Harrison said Murray, the former chairman of the failed Dick Smith chain, is one of the “most ethical and straight shooting” businesspeople he knows.

Harrison said he would be disappointed if Murray had to step down as the chairman of IGA supplier Metcash in the wake of Dick Smith’s collapse, as called for by the Australian Shareholders’ Association (ASA).

The operator of 82 supermarkets said he has known Murray for the past 20 years through business dealings with suppliers Nestle and Lion, two companies which Murray has formerly headed.

“I have found him to be exceptionally professional and I can only speak volumes of him,” Harrison told AAP on the sidelines of the Metcash retail conference on the Gold Coast on Monday.

“He is one of the most ethical and straight shooting business people I know.”

He said Murray’s background as a supplier made him a “perfect choice” for Metcash.

“That (Dick Smith saga) will obviously run its course,” he said.

“I’d be disappointed (if he were to resign) based on what I see with our dealings with us.”

Two other IGA franchise operators declined to comment on the Dick Smith issue when asked by AAP.

Murray became chairman of Metcash in April last year, while he was chairman of Dick Smith – a post he held until January when the iconic Aussie retailer went into administration.

He is one of 10 Dick Smith directors and managers, including former chief executive Nick Abboud, who will face a receiver’s public examination into the collapse in the NSW Supreme Court in September.

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