It
should not be lost on QVM traders that Malcolm McCullough appears to meet their
selection criteria for a CEO very well.
It
is now nearly 4 years ago that Trader Representatives sat with Chairman Paul
Guerra in the close confines of the 67 Victoria St. Training Room and asked for
some key innovations in the running of QVM. These included a trader on the
Board, Board representation at QVMAC meetings and an upgrade to the retail
experience of Board members and senior management.
That
request for retail experience was carried through to a subsequent meeting with
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle who famously said "You don't need to be a brain
surgeon to be on the Board of the Royal Melbourne Hospital" (he was on the
Board of the hospital at the time). It is true that a Board requires a variety
of competent people with a variety of expertise to do its job but traders were
concerned at the lack of core retail experience at QVM. This was intended as no
disrespect to the likes of Board member George Christopoulos, nor indeed to the
subsequent appointment of Jan Cochrane-Harry who performed an exemplary role as
CEO.
QVM
is more than just a retail organisation. It is clear that there is property
expertise needed in its running just like we see at organisations like
Westfield. QVM is a property company that provides the operating environment
for a very significant retail entity. The retail revolution has placed renewed
emphasis on the retail aspect which is why Malcolm McCullough's appointment is
so significant.
Mr.
McCullough has some interesting experience. He was State General Manager -
Victoria, for K-Mart at a time when it was being transformed from an ailing
discounter to its current powerhouse status. He has experience with Coles
Liquor, Bunnings, Starbucks, the Disney Store, and more recently as General
Manager of the Murray Goulburn Cooperative, Australia's largest processor of
milk products and owner of the Devondale brand. Operating in a cooperative of
independent dairy farmers has interesting parallels with operating in a market
of independent traders.
His
most recent role has been as Executive General Manager at Credo, who describe
themselves as "Leading and working with diverse
teams of retailers and professionals by executing outcomes and enabling change
in a variety of competitive retail industries, multiple markets, and fast-paced
environments"
with a focus on "Retail Store Operations,
Store Format Development , Project Management, Shop Fit out, Logistics Planning
and Management, Strategy Development, Merchandising range , assortment and
planning."
The "fast-paced environment" part certainly seems appropriate for
QVM.
The
time is right for retail leadership as we transform QVM Into a more relevant
21st Century retail market. The list of trader requests remains unsatisfied (it
probably always will) but Malcolm McCullough's appointment is an important step
in setting a more positive path for QVM's retail future. The Board and
traders appear united in that aim.
by Greg
Smith