Mike Schneider was appointed Managing Director of Bunnings Australia and New Zealand in February 2016 and the wider Bunnings Group in May 2017. After joining Bunnings in 2005, Mike previously led various operational teams across Australia and New Zealand. In August 2026, Mike announced that he will retire from Bunnings, with his last day as Managing Director on 31 January 2027. He will be succeeded by Rachael McVitty, who will commence as Managing Director on 1 February 2027.

During his time as Managing Director, Mike has built on Bunnings’ proud history as a home improvement and outdoor living retailer, leading the development of an integrated group that serves consumer DIY customers as well as trade and commercial customers. The group employs more than 56,000 team members and in FY 2026 generated revenue of $20.4b and earnings of 2.46b. The network now includes 288 large warehouse stores, 65 smaller format stores, 26 trade centres and six frame and truss sites across Australia and New Zealand. Bunnings Group also comprises a number of specialist businesses, including Workwear Group; Beaumont Tiles, which operates 109 stores nationally; and Blackwoods, which operates a network of 79 B2B trade stores and 12 Tool Kit Depot stores across Australia and New Zealand.

Mike has also overseen the growth of the group’s online and marketplace offers, alongside significant investment in technology and the digitisation of the business to enhance the customer experience. Throughout this period of growth and change, he has remained focused on preserving and strengthening the unique Bunnings culture that plays such an important role in the organisation’s success.

Paul Grosmann joined R.M.Williams as Chief Executive Officer in November 2021, shortly after the brand was brought back into Australian hands by Andrew and Nicola Forrest.

He has brought extensive expertise leading retail brand strategies to the iconic Australian company. With more than 25 years’ experience, Mr Grosmann has worked with companies from market entry to delivering growth strategies across multiple consumer and retail applications around the world. Prior to his role at R.M.Williams, he was the VP/GM at Nike in various roles including running the Greater China retail operations and as GM for their Football and Specialty businesses (tennis and golf). Before joining Nike, Paul spent four years working with Aussie retail entrepreneur Brett Blundy, working through various roles at the BBRC private investment firm. His experience included supporting the Lovisa brand through its IPO process, as well as the expansion of its retail operations around the world. Before this, Paul spent nine years in management consulting, primarily with McKinsey & Company in both Shanghai and Sydney.

Mr Grosmann’s passion for retail began growing up, working in his family’s Harris Farm Markets fruit and vegetable stores around Sydney. At R.M.Williams, he spearheads the brands strategy, drawing from its rich history of enduring products. Under his leadership, the brand has firmly cemented its place as a globally renowned brand, dedicated to craft, legacy and with a vision for the future.

Daniel Agostinelli is the CEO and Executive Director of Accent Group, with more than 30 years’ experience across Australian retail. Daniel began his career in music retail, co-building Sanity Music from a single store into a national business, before moving into footwear and growing Ghetto Shoes from five to 42 stores. He joined Accent Group in 2006 and has since helped transform it into one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest footwear and lifestyle retail groups, with brands including Platypus, Hype DC, The Athlete’s Foot and Stylerunner.

Van Mulryan joined TAG Heuer in Feb 2020. Born and raised in Melbourne, Van studied a Bachelor of International Business at RMIT university and built her career in retail between Australian and International brands.

At the age of 28, Van was appointed General Manager at Calvin Klein watches + jewelry – the youngest in the group portfolio.

Fast forward to today, Van is now General Manager at TAG Heuer Australia & New Zealand. In her role, she is responsible for driving the brand strategy & vision within the local market, with 13 boutiques overseeing the 4th biggest market globally. Vans passion for watches and understanding of luxury has seen TAG Heuer deliver record results in revenue and profitability during her tenure.

Brooke Bellamy is the founder of Brooki Bakehouse, the Brisbane bakery she opened in 2022 and has since built into a multi-country retail business across Australia, the UAE, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Brooki now trades from physical stores and airport locations across Australia and abroad. Brooke grew demand to an audience of more than four million people without spending a single dollar on paid media, then converted it into a store network, a world-first cookie vending machine, and a cookbook that sold more than 90,000 copies in its first six months.

In late 2025 she raised $25 million from UAE developer Arada to fund a rollout targeting 100 stores globally by 2028.

Frank De Sa is the Chief Information Officer of Premier Retail, where he leads technology for two of Australia’s best-known retail brands, Peter Alexander and Smiggle. With more than 30 years of experience in technology and information systems, Frank has built his career around helping businesses navigate change, improve performance and deliver better outcomes for customers and teams. He is known for his practical, commercially focused leadership style and his ability to make complex challenges clear and actionable. Frank is passionate about building strong teams, aligning technology with business priorities and creating the conditions for sustainable growth in a fast-moving retail environment. He also believes that lasting success should be measured by more than business results. Maintaining strong physical and mental health is, in Frank’s view, fundamental to performing at your best, leading effectively and enjoying success over the long term.

Alexia is the CEO of the PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand foods business, leading the end-to-end operations across iconic snack brands including Smith’s, Red Rock Deli, Bluebird, Doritos, Sakata, Sunbites and Twisties.

Alexia has been with PepsiCo for more than 18 years, holding various senior roles within Australia and Asia Pacific, including Chief Commercial Officer for Australia Foods, PepsiCo ANZ. She was also General Manager – Malaysia and Singapore, where she had overall responsibility for PepsiCo’s portfolio across beverages, Quaker Oats and Snacks and Senior Director of Beverages, leading the business across Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Alexia has more than 25 years of experience across the industry, beginning her career in finance and working across sales, revenue management and transformation. Prior to PepsiCo, she worked with leading global FMCG and retail businesses including Campbell Arnott’s, Goodman Fielder, and Sainsbury’s Supermarkets in the UK.

Alexia is passionate about championing diversity across all levels of the organisation. She has been a trailblazer within PepsiCo, helping pave the way for other females and she continues to champion female leadership across the organisation.

Known to everyone as “Lex”, Alexia lives in Sydney with her husband and three children. Outside work she enjoys taking on personal fitness challenges; whether it be running, half ironman or ocean swimming. She enjoys spending time with her family at the beach, exploring the world through travel, and great coffee.

Brett is an experienced retail leader who has spent almost 10 years leading Swarovski in Australia and New Zealand, following eight years with Pandora. As Managing Director of Swarovski ANZ, Brett leads a business with 135 years of iconic brand heritage, designing, manufacturing and retailing crystal figurines and jewellery and more recently Swarovski Created Diamonds. He is passionate about the power of retail, customer experience and developing people to achieve their potential. Brett’s leadership philosophy is centered on building high performing teams, creating strong retail cultures and delivering sustainable commercial growth through great people, great customer experiences and a relentless focus on execution.

Therese is an inspiring executive with over two decades of experience in the Quick Service Restaurant industry. Beginning her journey on the Restaurant floor at the age of 15, she has worked for renowned brands such as KFC, Starbucks, Oporto and Mad Mex, where she is known for her exceptional leadership skills and driving a culture of excellence and la Familia.

In 2025, Therese returned to Oporto as Chief Executive Officer.

With an MBA under her belt, Therese brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic vision to her role. A proud mother of three beautiful girls, Therese advocates for diversity in the workforce and focuses on promoting work-life balance, efficiency and managing decision fatigue.

Therese is an empowering presenter, speaking on various topics including culture & engagement in franchise networks, culture transformation in organizations, working mum life, decision fatigue and cognitive load.

An experienced retail leader with a proven track record of achieving and exceeding KPI’s through driving culture, developing high performing teams and focusing on commercial performance. An excellent eye for talent, creating teams that consistently deliver. An authentic and collaborative leader that motivates and engages those around her to bring their absolute best. Outstanding communication skills combined with the ability to influence at all levels are key strengths that enable the delivery of results.

Brendan Santamaria is Chief Executive Officer of Seafolly and has more than 25 years of leadership experience across retail, consumer brands and international operations. Throughout his career, he has led major business transformations, acquisitions and growth initiatives, including Seafolly’s return to profitability and the acquisitions of JETS and Tigerlily.

Brendan is passionate about building strong brands, developing high-performing teams and evolving retail businesses to meet the changing needs of customers in an increasingly omnichannel world. As CEO, he is focused on driving sustainable growth, strengthening customer engagement and positioning Seafolly for long-term success in a rapidly changing retail landscape.

Tim is the Global CEO of Coco Republic, Australia’s leading luxury furniture and lifestyle retail brand. With a 40 year heritage weaving together experiential retail showrooms and interior design excellence. Tim is passionate about the role that Coco Republic plays in elevating Australian and New Zealand lifestyles.

Tim was the Chairperson of the National Retail Association prior to its amalgamation with the Australian Retailers Association, forming the Australian Retail Council, which is the peak body for the Australian retail industry. Tim was also previously the Chairperson of the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council, tasked with mattress recycling in Australia, and a Benefactor of the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia.

Before his time at Coco Republic, Tim had over 20 years’ experience in household goods and discretionary retail businesses, including as Managing Director of Freedom Furniture and Chief Operating Officer of Greenlit Brands (a $2.5bn vertically-integrated household goods conglomerate). Tim is passionate about

Tim started his career as a corporate lawyer.

A two time #1 in Ecom (Top 50 25/26) winner, Guy is the COO and Co-Owner of Oz Hair and Beauty. In his short career he has built his company from an ebay reseller to one of the leading hair and beauty retailers in the country. Looking after most of the ‘back-end’ activities for the company, he has had to repeatedly revamp operations to – keep the customer first – due to the aggressive growth. Leading the charge of the 1% fixes is his passion as he works to ensure that all customer experiences are seamless.

Lina Calabria is an engineer and business leader, and co-founder and CEO of Bellroy.

Bellroy designs carry goods, from wallets to luggage, made to be used well and to last, and is a certified B Corp now selling in more than 150 countries. Lina leads with an emphasis on shared learning, curiosity about other perspectives, and care for the company, its people, and the world around it.

Throughout Bellroy’s growth she has held the roles of CFO, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, and COO. With more than 20 years’ experience growing businesses and improving performance, Lina brings operational discipline to a company built on design and craft, and has a track record of spotting opportunities and risks early and acting on them.

Prior to Bellroy, Lina worked as a management consultant with clients such as Australia Post, Royal Mail and Pfizer. Whatever the industry, her focus is on understanding a business’s fundamental drivers and acting on its most important leverage points.

Hitesh Mehta is a commercial leader specializing in marketplace and eCommerce growth, currently driving ANZ strategy at TEMU. He previously built Baby Bunting’s marketplace from zero to $6M+ GMV, and led marketplace operations at MyDeal and Catch. Named #15, and #25, in the Top 50 People in eCommerce, Australia (2026) and (2024) respectively.

Juliet Jenkinson is an experienced marketing leader with a strong focus on retail media in the health & beauty industry.

As Head of Digital Marketing at Chemist Warehouse, her team of media specialists work with brands to create meaningful, data-led connections with customers on the path to purchase.

Over the past year Juliet has reimagined the Chemist Warehouse Retail Media program, driving impressive results for both the retailer and brand partners.

With nearly 20 years’ experience in retail and consumer marketing, Juliet brings a practical, results-driven perspective on what really works in today’s evolving media landscape. She’s particularly interested in how retail media can unlock growth for retailers and suppliers through innovative solutions that help drive commercial impact for both teams.