Kate Beattie has been appointed as BWS interim Director. It follows Guy Brent being appointed Managing Director for FoodCo & Metro for the Woolworths Group.
Managing Director of Endeavour Drinks Steve Donohue said: “Guy (below) has provided outstanding leadership to the BWS business and has built it into a high performing, well-recognised ultra convenience brand in the Australian drinks market.
“In his time with the business, he has led the team to build a strong culture, with a particular focus on improving the customer experience in stores, which has delivered a consistent increase in Voice of Customer scores and NPS.
As BWS interim Director, Beattie (pictured main) will be responsible for leading the BWS team while Endeavour searches for a permanent appointment for the new Director for BWS.
She has been Finance Director for Endeavour Drinks since November 2017, with a career that spans across the financial services, engineering, retail and technology sectors.
“Since starting with Endeavour in late 2017, Kate has led the Finance team’s efforts to improve the rigour of our financial governance and controls, step change the support provided to Endeavour functions and strategic initiatives, and improve insights and decision making that will lead to better commercial outcomes for Endeavour Drinks,” Donohue said.
“Kate will lead the BWS team to drive forward its focus in FY20 strategy, while leveraging shared capabilities across Endeavour Drinks.”
Donohue said it’s expected that these changes will be in place by September.
Woolworths reassured investors and suppliers earlier this month following its announcement that it will spin off its liquor and hospitality businesses into a new company called Endeavour Group.
Endeavour Drinks and ALH will combine to form Endeavour Group prior to it either being spun off to shareholders or sold to a new owner in 2020.
The merging of Endeavour Drinks and ALH will create Australia’s largest integrated drinks and hospitality business, with sales of approximately $10 billion and $1 billion EBITDA.
Woolworths said it expects Endeavour Group to be an ASX100 company following the separation.
Donohue said it would be “business as usual” for the next few months while “we work out what the proposed merger between Endeavour and ALH, and the subsequent separation from the Woolworths Group will look like”, and ask for shareholder approval.
“This is a really exciting time to be part of the drinks business,” he added. “The changes ahead will allow Endeavour to better respond to growth opportunities, and continue to build and develop our dedicated and passionate team and our strong relationship with all our suppliers.”
