Former Qantas Loyalty Chief Olivia Wirth has been announced as the new CEO of Myer, taking over from outgoing boss John King.
Wirth, who has been with Qantas for 10 years, will bring a wealth of experience in loyalty programs and customer engagement to her new role at the struggling department store chain.
During her time at Qantas, Wirth oversaw the growth of the airline’s loyalty program, Qantas Frequent Flyer, which now has over 13 million members and generates over $1.6 billion in revenue annually.
Wirth’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Myer, which has been struggling to compete with online retailers and has faced declining sales in recent years. The company has also been through a series of leadership changes, with King being the fourth CEO to leave in the past five years.
In a statement, Myer chairman Garry Hounsell said Wirth’s experience in customer engagement and digital transformation made her the ideal candidate for the role.
“Olivia has a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in the highly competitive loyalty and customer engagement space,” Hounsell said.
Wirth’s appointment has been welcomed by industry experts, who believe her experience in building and managing successful loyalty programs will be beneficial for Myer.
“Olivia Wirth’s appointment is a smart move by Myer. Her experience in building and managing one of Australia’s most successful loyalty programs will be invaluable in helping Myer attract and retain customers,” said retail analyst Brian Walker.
Wirth’s departure from Qantas has also been met with praise from CEO Alan Joyce, who described her as a “valued member of the Qantas team” and wished her all the best in her new role.
“Olivia has been instrumental in the success of our loyalty program and has played a key role in driving customer engagement and loyalty at Qantas,” Joyce said.
Wirth will officially start her new role at Myer in April, and will be tasked with turning around the struggling department store’s fortunes.
Rewritten:
After a decade of service at Qantas, Olivia Wirth, the former Loyalty Chief, has been appointed as the new CEO of Myer, replacing John King.
Wirth’s extensive experience in loyalty programs and customer engagement will be a valuable asset to the struggling department store chain.
During her time at Qantas, Wirth oversaw the growth of the airline’s loyalty program, Qantas Frequent Flyer, which now boasts over 13 million members and generates an annual revenue of $1.6 billion.
This appointment comes at a crucial time for Myer, as it faces tough competition from online retailers and has seen a decline in sales in recent years. The company has also undergone several leadership changes, with King being the fourth CEO to leave in the past five years.
In a statement, Myer chairman Garry Hounsell expressed his confidence in Wirth’s ability to drive growth and innovation in the highly competitive loyalty and customer engagement space.
Wirth’s appointment has been well-received by industry experts, who believe her expertise in building and managing successful loyalty programs will greatly benefit Myer.
According to retail analyst Brian Walker, “Olivia Wirth’s appointment is a strategic move by Myer. Her experience in developing and managing one of Australia’s most successful loyalty programs will be instrumental in attracting and retaining customers.”
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce also praised Wirth’s departure, describing her as a “valued member of the team” and wishing her success in her new role.
Joyce added, “Olivia has played a crucial role in the success of our loyalty program and has been instrumental in driving customer engagement and loyalty at Qantas.”
Wirth will officially assume her new position at Myer in April and will be responsible for turning around the struggling department store’s performance.
