Wesfarmers culls Homebase’s exec team just days after acquisition from Home Retail Group completes
Homebase's new owners Wesfarmer is launching a cull of the DIY chain's leadership team, just days after the acquisition was completed.
Managing director Echo Lu, who joined the business last April, has already left the business, while finance director Don Davis, commercial director Paul Emslie, retail operations director Ewan McMahon and marketing director Chris McDonough – who only joined Homebase in December – are all on their way out, according to industry bible Retail Week.
Wesfarmers only completed the £340m acquisition from Home Retail Group on Monday.
It is thought those senior roles are to be filled by Wesfarmers personnel, with chief operating officer Peter Davis taking on Lu's position. Rodney Boys, Bunnings’ logistics and improvement general manager, will become the new finance director.
As part of the deal, Wesfarmers intends to rebrand Homebase as Bunnings over the next three to five years.
The retailer is Australia’s largest hardware chain, with a total of 338 stores including a presence in New Zealand. Wesfarmers has not yet commented on the Homebase exits.