Board of Directors

The Coles Group Board provides leadership and approves and monitors the strategic direction, risk management systems, values, business plans and policies of the Coles Group to uphold corporate reputation and maximise value to shareholders.

Peter Allen

B.AppSc (Valuation)

Chairman and Non-executive Director, Chairman of the Nomination Committee and Member of the Audit and Risk Committee and People and Culture Committee

Peter Allen has been a Non-executive Director of the Company since 1 September 2024, and Chairman since 1 May 2025.

Peter has extensive executive and board experience spanning listed property, retail-facing businesses, finance and international banking. His career includes chief executive and chief financial officer roles, leadership of large and complex organisations through structural change, and oversight of major property portfolios and investment programs. He also brings a practical perspective from his family's agricultural enterprise.

From 2014 to 2022, Peter was the inaugural Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Scentre Group, following the restructure of Westfield Group. During an 18-year career with Westfield Group, he held a range of senior executive positions, including Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Westfield Group and Chief Executive Officer of Westfield UK/Europe. Prior to joining the Westfield Group, Peter held leadership roles with Citibank in Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States. Peter and his family also own and operate a 4,500-acre sheep and cattle enterprise in the central west of New South Wales, specialising in lamb and beef production. Peter is currently a director of Built Group Holdings Pty Ltd and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

Peter brings seasoned executive and board experience, including leading major listed organisations through growth and transformation. His expertise in property development, acquisitions, asset management and major retail relationships supports the Board’s oversight of Coles’ store network and capital program. Peter’s leadership of retail-facing businesses brings a strong customer perspective and insight into evolving expectations, including the role of digital capability in enhancing customer experience. His international, governance and agricultural experience further informs the Board’s consideration of strategy, risk, stakeholder engagement and the broader food supply system.

Leah Weckert

BEng (Hons), BSc, MBA, GAICD

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Leah Weckert became Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Coles on 1 May 2023.

Leah has deep experience across the retail and fast-moving consumer goods sectors, developed through senior leadership roles spanning strategy, finance, operations, people and culture, merchandising and commercial management. Her career has given her an end-to-end understanding of Coles, its customers, team members, suppliers and operations, as well as experience in major corporate transactions and business transformation.

Leah joined Coles in 2011 and, prior to becoming Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, held several senior executive roles, including Chief Executive, Commercial & Express, with responsibility for the Supermarkets and Coles Express businesses, and Chief Financial Officer. As Chief Financial Officer, she led the 2018 demerger of Coles from Wesfarmers. Leah’s other roles at Coles have included Director Strategy, Director People & Culture, State General Manager Victoria Operations, and General Manager Merchandise, Strategy and Innovation. Before joining Coles, Leah worked at McKinsey & Company, advising consumer-facing businesses across grocery, general merchandise and discount retail, aviation, retail banking and telecommunications on strategy and transformation. She also worked in Strategy and Business Development at Foster’s Group. Leah is currently a director of the Consumer Goods Forum.

Leah brings deep expertise in strategy formulation and execution, strong commercial and financial acumen, extensive operational and consumer knowledge, and an enterprise-wide understanding of Coles. Her leadership experience and disciplined approach support the delivery of Coles’ strategy, sustainable performance and long-term shareholder value. She is committed to building trust and enduring relationships across Coles’ diverse stakeholder community – including customers, team members, suppliers, shareholders, governments and communities – and to ensuring Coles continues to make an important contribution to Australian communities.

Jacqueline Chow

MBA, BSc (Hons), FAICD

Non-executive Director, Member of the Nomination Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee

Jacqueline Chow has been a Non-executive Director of the Company since 19 November 2018.

Jacqueline has a global career across consumer products, food and dairy, with experience as a senior executive, adviser and non-executive director. Her background encompasses customer-led growth, commercial operations, large and complex supply networks, transformation, corporate brand and reputation, sustainability and engagement across business and government.

Jacqueline was previously a Non-executive Director of Boral Limited and, from 2016 to 2019, a Director of Fisher & Paykel Appliances. Her executive career included serving as Chief Operating Officer, Global Consumer and Food Service, at Fonterra Co-operative Group, one of the world's largest dairy producers and exporters. Before Fonterra, she held senior management positions with Campbell Arnott's and Kellogg Company. Jacqueline also served as Programme Steering Group Director with New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries and as Deputy Chairman of the Global Dairy Platform Inc. Jacqueline is currently a Non-executive Director of Reece Limited, nib Holdings Limited and Charter Hall Group. Jacqueline is also the Chairman of the Australia–Israel Chamber of Commerce of NSW and Queensland and a Senior Advisor in McKinsey’s Transformation practice.

Jacqueline’s extensive experience in the fast-moving consumer goods sector brings a strong customer lens and deep understanding of consumer behaviour, brands and market dynamics. Her experience in commercial operations and complex supply networks supports the Board in assessing and overseeing strategic execution, business resilience, supplier relationships, risk management and sustainability. She also brings broad governance experience across listed companies and other organisations.

Abi Cleland

MBA, BCom/BA

Non-executive Director, Member of the Nomination Committee and the People and Culture Committee

Abi Cleland has been a Non-executive Director of the Company since 19 November 2018.

Abi has broad executive, advisory and board experience across a diverse range of industries, including retail, technology, industrials, packaging, professional services and financial services. Her career has focused on strategy, mergers and acquisitions, commercial performance, innovation and leveraging digital opportunities.

From 2012 to 2017, Abi established and led Absolute Partners, a management and advisory business focused on building businesses by providing strategic, M&A, digital and transformation advice and management expertise. Before that, she was Managing Director at KordaMentha's 333 and held senior management roles at ANZ Banking Group Limited, Incitec Pivot Limited and Amcor Limited. Abi’s previous non-executive portfolio includes directorships of Sydney Airport Corporation Limited and Orora Limited. She was also chair of Planwise AU, a Director of Swimming Australia and a member of the Lazard PE Fund advisory committee. Abi is currently a Non-executive Director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, Computershare Limited and Queensland Airports Limited.

Abi brings a broad cross-industry perspective, astute strategic and commercial judgement, and substantial experience evaluating investments, transactions and growth options. Her background in M&A and portfolio decision-making supports disciplined consideration of capital and strategic priorities, while her digital experience helps the Board assess technology-enabled opportunities, emerging competitors and changing customer expectations. Her varied board and executive roles also contribute valuable insight into governance, organisational performance and risk across different operating environments.

Richard Freudenstein

LLB (Hons), BEc

Non-executive Director, Chairman of the People and Culture Committee and Member of the Nomination Committee

Richard Freudenstein has been a Non-executive Director of the Company since 19 November 2018.

Richard has extensive leadership and board experience across global media, digital platforms, technology and consumer businesses. His career includes chief executive and chief operating officer roles in large, complex and regulated organisations, together with substantial experience in commercial strategy, digital disruption, customer markets and governance.

Richard was Chief Executive Officer of Foxtel from 2011 to 2016, Chief Executive Officer of The Australian and News Digital Media at News Limited from 2006 to 2010, and Chief Operating Officer of British Sky Broadcasting plc from 2000 to 2006. His previous board positions include Ten Network Holdings Limited, Foxtel, Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad and Appen Limited. He was also previously Deputy Chancellor of University of Sydney. Richard is currently a Non-executive Director of REA Group Limited (where he was Chairman from 2007 to 2012) and Cochlear Limited. He is also a board member of Cricket Australia.

Richard brings a strong consumer and commercial perspective, grounded in leading businesses where technology, content, regulation and changing customer behaviour are central to success. His experience supports the Board's consideration of digital business models, innovation and strategic execution. He also contributes informed oversight of AI governance and strategy through his technology board experience, together with a broad generalist perspective, sound judgement and significant experience operating in regulated industries and complex stakeholder environments.

Andrew Penn AO

MBA, FCCA, HFAIPM

Non-executive Director, Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee and Member of the Nomination Committee

Andy Penn has been a Non-executive Director of the Company since 1 December 2023.

Andy has had an extensive executive career across telecommunications, technology and financial services, including serving as both a chief executive and chief financial officer in highly regulated industries. He has led large-scale growth and transformation programs and brings deep experience in strategy, international operations, technology, cyber security, government engagement, digital and physical infrastructure and public policy.

From 2015 to 2022, Andy was Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Telstra. He was also previously Telstra's Chief Financial Officer and Group Executive International. Before joining Telstra, Andy spent 23 years with AXA, including as Group Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of AXA Asia Pacific Holdings. Andy’s current advisory and non-executive roles span technology/AI, cyber security, national intelligence, business strategy and transformation, tourism and the arts. He is Chairman of Sharon AI, Chairman of Visit Victoria, a Senior Advisor with McKinsey & Company, and an Advisor to the Office of National Intelligence, the Australian Signals Directorate and Quintessence Labs. He is a member of the Quad Investors Network of the American Frontier Fund and the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria.

Andy brings extensive public company leadership, board-level governance and strategic experience across telecommunications, financial services, technology and digital infrastructure. As a former CEO and CFO, he has led major organisations in different regulated industries, and has deep expertise in growth, transformation and execution at scale. His knowledge of artificial intelligence, technology, cyber security, public policy and engagement with government and regulators supports the Board’s oversight of strategic risk and organisational resilience.

Scott Price

BA, MBA, MA

Non-executive Director, Member of the Nomination Committee and the People and Culture Committee

Scott Price has been a Non-executive Director of the Company since 1 October 2022.

Scott has extensive global leadership experience across retail, logistics and consumer goods, with senior roles in Asia, Europe and the United States. His career combines responsibility for large store-based businesses and complex international networks with experience in strategy, transformation, sourcing, technology, real estate and sustainability.

Scott has been Group Chief Executive of DFI Retail Group Holdings Limited since 1 August 2023. Prior to joining DFI Retail Group, Scott was a senior executive at UPS where he held various roles including Executive Vice-President and President of UPS International and Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, with responsibility for strategic planning, Global Business Services and the Advanced Technology Group. From 2009 to 2015, Scott led Walmart's Asia store business, before relocating to the United States to lead global sourcing, international technology, real estate and strategy until 2017. Earlier in his career, Scott was President and Chief Executive Officer of DHL Asia and then DHL Europe, having commenced his career with The Coca-Cola Company in Asia. Scott is currently also a director of the Consumer Goods Forum, a member of the Advisory Board to the World Retail Congress, a member of the Board of Governors of The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and a trustee on the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Hall.

Scott brings first-hand experience as the CEO of a major retail business and a global perspective on customers, operations and competition. His understanding of how digital and omnichannel models are reshaping retail supports the Board's consideration of customer shopping preferences, technology investment and business model resilience. He also contributes deep expertise in complex supply networks, transformation and sustainability, together with strong commercial judgement and governance experience gained across multinational organisations.

Wendy Stops

BAppSc (Information Technology), FAICD

Non-executive Director, Member of the Nomination Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee

Wendy Stops has been a Non-executive Director of the Company since 19 November 2018.

Wendy has extensive executive and board experience across information technology, consulting, financial services, telecommunications, consumer products, software, education and the not-for-profit sector. Her career has centred on leadership, large-scale technology-enabled transformation, digital innovation and AI, and the design and oversight of robust approaches to organisational risk.

Wendy spent the final 16 years of her executive career at Accenture in senior leadership positions spanning Australia, Asia Pacific and globally, following a broader senior executive career in information technology and consulting. Her previous board experience includes Fitted for Work (where she was Chairman from 2023 to 2025), Blackmores Limited (where she was Chairman from 2022 until its sale in 2023), Commonwealth Bank of Australia Limited, Altium Limited, Accenture Software Solutions Australia, and Diversiti. Additionally, she was previously Chair of the Melbourne Business School's Centre for Business Analytics and a member of the Expert Advisory Committee to the Digital Technology Taskforce of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Wendy is currently a Non-executive Director of the Melbourne Business School, the PwC Australia Governance Board and Hall & Wilcox, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Melbourne Business School’s Institute of Digital Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, Chair of the Fitted for Work Future Fund and a member of the AICD’s Governance of Innovation and Technology Panel.

Wendy brings deep experience in large-scale IT transformation, leadership and risk management. Her background enables the Board to challenge and support major technology programs, assess the governance of digital innovation and AI, and consider the organisational changes needed to realise benefits and manage associated risks. Her executive and board experience also contributes valuable insight into controls, accountability, people leadership and the oversight of complex change across large organisations.