The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) today announced Chris Rodwell will be the inaugural CEO of the Australian Retail Council (ARC) supporting the establishment of the amalgamated entity from March 2025.
As a proven leader in the Australian business community, Mr Rodwell will play a key role in elevating the critical contribution the retail sector makes to the Australian economy and communities across the nation.
ARA President Nicole Sheffield said Mr Rodwell is an impressive leader with a powerful track record supporting the growth and development of Australian business.
"We are thrilled to have secured Chris to lead the future amalgamated entity, the Australian Retail Council as we enter this next critical growth phase for our $430 billion dollar retail sector. In making this appointment, we listened deeply to the ambitions and the needs of our members and stakeholders and after an extensive search we are confident that Chris is the ideal leader for this important role.
"Chris is a strategic and transformational leader with an outstanding set of commercial and advocacy achievements within associations and working with and within government and the private sector.
"The opportunities and the challenges have never been greater for our sector which contributes 18% of the country's gross domestic product and employs one in ten Australians. We are excited to work with Chris to seize the opportunity for retail and to unify and advocate for our sector," she said.
A seasoned CEO and Board Director with experience working across Australia and internationally, Mr Rodwell is currently CEO of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Western Australia (CCIWA). Prior to CCIWA, Mr Rodwell served in trade and investment roles for the Australian and Queensland governments.
NRA Chair Antony Moore said Mr Rodwell is deeply connected within business and government and brings an exciting vision to the retail sector.
"Chris has been powerfully supporting Australia's business and economic growth for decades. In his current role, Chris secured significant advocacy outcomes for some of the country's largest businesses alongside small to medium size businesses. He also led a significant cultural change program which saw transformative commercial expansion of CCIWA and outstanding membership retention and acquisition.
"We look forward to drawing on Chris's acumen and strategic skill set to ensure a strong retail recovery for our retail sector and the sustainable growth and expansion of the Australian Retail Council," he said.
Mr Rodwell said that he is determined to work with the combined team to elevate the role of the retail sector in Australia's economy and society.
"The Australian Retail Council will be the unified home for retailers across the country. The sector is critically exposed to the major risks that are faced more broadly by businesses across the economy. Our role will be to help our members stare down those risks and, wherever we can, flip them into opportunities," he said.
"Whether it's managing shifts in geopolitics and supply chains, acting on AI or broader digital opportunities, responding to sustainability and energy challenges, managing a complex regulatory environment, winning the war for talent or building trust, we're determined to flex with Australian retailers in every way we can," said Mr Rodwell.
Mr Rodwell will commence in the role in late March and will be based in Sydney. The future combined entity will have offices across the nation.
