Super Retail Group, a leading Australian retail company, has terminated the employment of its CEO, Anthony Heraghty. The board’s decision followed a review of information Heraghty provided concerning his relationship with Jane Kelly, the former Chief Human Resources Officer. The board concluded that Heraghty’s previous disclosures were unsatisfactory. The company, which owns well-known brands like Rebel Sport, BCF, and Supercheap Auto, did not specify the nature of the undisclosed information that led to the dismissal. Allegations of a relationship between Heraghty and Kelly first surfaced in April 2024. Whistleblowers Rebecca Farrell, a former chief legal officer, and Amelia Berczelly, co-company secretary, alleged they faced threats and harassment after raising concerns about the relationship. Court filings revealed that Berczelly witnessed Heraghty and Kelly entering a Brisbane hotel lobby together in June 2023, while another employee claimed the CEO had placed his hand on Kelly’s thigh at a bar in 2022. David Burns, the Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed as the interim CEO. The board has severed all financial ties with Heraghty and cancelled his unvested incentives. Following the announcement, the company’s shares experienced a 2.6% drop, sparking investor concern. The timing of the decision surprised analysts. This controversy follows a recent corporate scandal where Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot resigned after a ‘kiss cam’ incident at a Coldplay concert.
