ARA appoints Nicole Sheffield as its first female president

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) have announced Nicole Sheffield as its first female President and equal representation of women under new appointments to the ARA Council.

Sheffield replaces Andersons CEO Rowan Hodge, who steps down after four years as ARA President but will continue as an ARA Council Member.

Other new appointments to the ARA council include Retail Prodigy Group co-founder and CEO Stephen Younane as vice president of the council, and Krista Diez-Simson and Josephine Barbaro as council members.

The ARA said the latest appointments demonstrate the association’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion and driving long lasting change in the retail industry, which employs one in 10 Australian workers – most of whom are women.

Related: Women in leadership and achieving equality in a Covid-19 world

Other female council members appointed include Katie McNamara, chief strategy and customer officer at Super Retail Group, and Maria McCarthy, general manager of corporate affairs at Bunnings.

CEO Paul Zahra said the ARA Council is now 60% female and represents small, medium, large and major retailers with established bases across the country.

“The ARA has a long and proud history, but this is the first time the organisation has had a female President, which is well overdue, so I’m delighted to announce Nicole’s appointment along with our new female Councillors and Advisors who I’m confident will make an outstanding contribution to the ARA and our broader retail community,” Zahra said.

Wesfarmer’s Nicole Sheffield said it’s an honour to be elected the ARA’s first female President and looks forward to working with the CEO and the Council on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the industry.

“This is a pivotal time for the retail industry with Covid continuing to impact so many businesses in terms of supply chain constraints and staff shortages,” Sheffield said.

“We need to ensure retailers are well placed to navigate the pandemic pain and economic head winds so they can capitalise on Australia’s post-Covid recovery,” she said.

She continued that the pandemic has highlighted just how crucial it is for retailers to have an omnichannel strategy so they can cater for customers whichever way they interact with their business.

“Technology and innovation play a leading role in our sector – from how we source goods and services, to how we interact with our customers. It’s important that businesses continue to harness the power of data and digital as retail continues to evolve,” she emphasised.

As ARA President, Sheffield said she is committed to being a strong advocate for all retailers and look forward to working with the Council and CEO on ensuring the ARA remains a powerful and united voice for the industry.

Source: ARA