Earlier this year, an amalgamation of the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and the National Retail Association (NRA) was announced.
This week, the newly formed organisation has appointed Rodwell as CEO. He will begin work in March and is currently CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.
“The sector is critically exposed to the major risks that are faced more broadly by businesses across the economy,” he said.
“Our role will be to help our members stare down those risks and, wherever we can, flip them into opportunities.”
He added: “Whether it’s managing shifts in geopolitics and supply chains, acting on AI or broader digital opportunities, responding to sustainability and energy challenges, managing a complex regulatory environment, winning the war for talent or building trust, we’re determined to flex with Australian retailers in every way we can.”
Rodwell is also the chair of the International Trade Committee at the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The ARC will have offices across Australia; however, the incoming CEO will be based in Sydney.
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