Endeavour Group has named Benjamin Ward as the new managing director of Dan Murphy’s, marking a significant shift in the leadership structure of the ASX-listed entity. Ward’s appointment follows Agi Pfeiffer-Smith’s departure after five years in the role; she will remain until the end of March to ensure a smooth transition following the busy Christmas trading period. Endeavour Group is a retail drinks and hospitality business operating in Australia. It manages a portfolio of brands and venues, including Dan Murphy’s and BWS.
Ward joins from Super Retail Group, where he served as managing director of Supercheap Auto, a role from which he recently departed. He is slated to commence his new position at Dan Murphy’s on January 27. In addition to Ward’s appointment, Endeavour Group has bolstered its executive team with several key hires to support the company’s refreshed business strategy.
Catriona Larritt is set to join as chief customer officer, transitioning from Qantas. Brendan Sweeney will assume the role of chief digital and data officer, coming from Catch. Jill Henderson has been appointed as chief legal officer, joining from BHP. These appointments signify a strategic move to enhance the company’s capabilities across various critical functions.
Interim boss Kate Beattie expressed confidence that the leadership changes would drive the execution of Endeavour’s refreshed strategy and reinforce the strength of the business and its brands. She acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing executives and welcomed the new team members, emphasising their role in supporting the company’s next phase of growth.
