Wesfarmers ‘simplifies’ non-retail operations

Wesfarmers is moving its non-retail operations into one division in a restructure aimed at streamlining the diversified company.

The owner of supermarket giant Coles, Bunnings, Target, Kmart, and Officeworks also has operations in resources, chemicals and fertilisers and industrial and safety.

Those three divisions will now be merged into one division known as industrials, which will be led by Wesfarmers’ financial services boss Rob Scott.

Coles digital director, Roger Sniezek, will take over as head of financial services.

Wesfarmers’ other retail divisions, home improvement and office supplies (Bunnings and Officeworks), Kmart and Target are not affected by the changes.

Wesfarmers’ MD, Richard Goyder, said the changes would simplify Wesfarmers’ reporting and decision making structure.

“This is the next step in the evolution of the Wesfarmers business,” Goyder said. “It will enhance sharing of knowledge and ideas between naturally clustered business units, reinforce our performance and development culture and better position the group for growth.”

AAP