Wesfarmers and Coles have appointed John Merakovsky to the newly-created chief executive role at Flybuys.
Merakovsky is currently the CEO and managing director of Integrated Research (IR), a leading global provider of proactive experience management solutions for IT infrastructure, payments and communications ecosystems.
He announced his resignation from the company yesterday citing plans to return to his home in Melbourne for family reasons.
Merakovsky was previously general manager of SEEK Learning, and before that he was managing director and CEO Australia and New Zealand for Experian.
Merakovsky will work his three month notice period at IR before commencing the new role in February 2019.
Wesfarmers managing director and Flybuys chairman Rob Scott said Merakovsky would bring extensive leadership experience in technology and digital companies to the new role.
“John has extensive experience in commercialising technologies and leading companies to achieve their customer strategy through leveraging data and digital capabilities,” Scott said. “This is an important step as Flybuys looks to expand its current reach and move into new segments and services for its members.”
Coles managing director Steven Cain said he was confident Merakovsky’s experience would help Coles deliver its strategy to make life easier for customers.
“We’re excited about the next phase of growth and innovation for Flybuys and delivering even better value and more relevant offers for Coles’ customers around Australia,” Cain said
Flybuys is one of Australia’s most popular loyalty programs with more than eight million active members. It has more than 20 major partners including Coles Supermarkets, Coles Express, First Choice Liquor and Liquorland.
The loyalty and data company is owned and operated by a stand-alone company. Wesfarmers and Coles will continue to each own a 50 per cent share in the company, following the demeger of Coles on November 28.
Coles will commence trading as an independent company on the ASX today at 11.00am under the new ASX Code ‘COL’. Its parent company Wesfarmers will trade on an ex-entitlement basis.
