Former Woolworths executive Bernie Brookes AM has been appointed chair of the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) board, effective immediately.
Brookes has over 40 years of executive and board-level experience in the consumer and retail goods sector and has held roles including CEO of Myer Australia and Edcon in South Africa, and executive director at Woolworths Australia.
“The appointment of an independent chair to the Board of Directors marks a positive step forward in strengthening the governance of the AFGC, ensuring objective leadership, enhancing transparency, and reinforcing trust among members, industry partners, and the broader community,” said AFGC CEO Colm Maguire.
Brookes, who will be succeeding Anthony Holme, is experienced in the areas of retail operations, supply chain management and consumer engagement.
He is currently chair of Direct Group (Innovations and TVSN) and Renuon Renewable Energy and has previously been on several other boards.
“I am confident that I can contribute to the AFGC with a focus on the key issues facing the industry such as energy availability and cost, transportation, workforce shortages, automation and AI while developing a collaborative association between retailers, wholesalers and the supplier base of the sector,” said Brookes.
“With the cost-of-living pressures and local and geopolitical uncertainty, it is important that a strong industry representation exists to manoeuvre the industry through uncertain supply lines, through economic uncertainty while developing with a focus on technology, productivity and sustainability.”
Brookes has served on the advisory board of the World Retail Congress, was its founding judge, and has been inducted into the Australian Retail Hall of Fame.
