LG Electronics Australia is confronting renewed management challenges within its air conditioning division — a key business unit central to the company’s strategy to pivot from consumer electronics toward higher-margin B2B operations.

The pressure comes as the company reportedly explores leadership changes, including discussions with former Daikin, Samsung and LG executive Ian Robertson about again, taking on a senior role within the organisation.

Federal Court Proceedings Add to Scrutiny

The developments follow proceedings in the Australian Federal Court initiated by former Head of Human Resources Amanda Jackson.

Managing Director Dan (Sang Moo) Lim

In her statement of claim, Jackson alleges that Managing Director Dan (Sang Moo) Lim intervened to halt an internal investigation into activities within the air conditioning division.

Jackson claims she sought to conduct what she described as a “fulsome investigation” into alleged misconduct involving the provision of employment references to the Department of Home Affairs in connection with a visa application.

According to the filed claim, Jackson alleged that a Korean employee, Eun Sung Cha, provided an unauthorised employment reference that should have been formally investigated. Jackson further alleged that Lim’s actions in limiting the investigation undermined the integrity of her role as head of HR.

The matter remains subject to Federal Court proceedings, and the allegations have not been tested or determined by the Court.

Eun Sung Cha is currently listed as BOP Director at LG Electronics Australia.

Division Instability and Executive Movement

Separately, ChannelNews has been told by internal sources that former Product Director Hun Oh was unexpectedly recalled to South Korea last month, raising questions about stability within the air conditioning division.

The division is considered strategically important as LG Electronics Australia works to expand its commercial and B2B footprint. Industry observers note that instability within such a core business unit could complicate that transition.

Sources have told us that that several current senior executives are considering departing the company with some already listing their resume with head hunters.

Leadership Reshuffle Discussions

Regional executives from LG Electronicsare believed to have  recently discussed with Ian Robertson, the former General Manager of LG’s air conditioning division in Australia (2009–2013) about returning to the Company.

Ian Robertson former GM at LG Electronics

Robertson later served as Director of Air Conditioning at Samsung Australia in 2018 and has held senior roles at Daikin.

He is currently listed as working with RSL Rapid Locking Systems.

According to sources, LG’s regional office in Singapore and Managing Director Dan Lim have discussed the possibility of Robertson returning to the company in a senior capacity.

Some insiders have suggested that discussions have included whether Robertson could assume a top leadership role within the Australian operation.

In parallel, LG Electronics has reportedly brought back former executive Virender Rana, who previously left the company. Sources claim Rana maintains strong connections with senior management in South Korea and regional executives in Singapore. One insider described him as having returned as “the highest paid local leader,” though this has not been independently confirmed.

Strategic Inflection Point

The confluence of Federal Court proceedings, internal leadership reshuffling, and division-level instability places LG Electronics Australia at a sensitive strategic juncture. As the company seeks to reposition its business model toward commercial markets, sustained leadership stability within its air conditioning division may prove critical.

The Federal Court proceedings are ongoing.

In 2026, LG Electronics is desperately aggressively trying to transforming its Air Conditioning and HVAC business from a traditional hardware supplier into being what they describe high-tech “Smart Life Solutions” offering.

This pivot is central to their “2030 Future Vision,” which identifies HVAC as a core pillar of their B2B growth, the only problem is that LG Electronics Australia is lacking in leadership management claim insiders.

The Company believes they can capitalise on the global AI boom by focusing on the intense cooling requirements of AI data centres that are popping up in Australia.

In several markets other than Australia the Company is investing in expanding their operation with a major new production line at the Sri City plant in India scheduled to open in 2026, with an annual capacity of 1.5 million units, making it a strategic hub for the Asian Pacific market.

LG is also ramping up production in the USA specifically for “Rooftop Units” (RTUs) tailored to U.S. commercial standards.

In the past LG Electronics has had problems with their commercial sale of batteries for solar systems.

LG Energy Solution (a subsidiary of LG Electronics Australia) had to be forced into a court-enforceable undertaking with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to urgently locate and remedy faulty home energy storage batteries that can overheat and catch fire.

At the time the Australian operation was looking to try and minimise their problems.

This followed 15 reported incidents of property damage, including a completely destroyed home in Victoria, the ACCC determined that previous recall efforts and advertising by LG were “inadequate”.

LG is also positioning itself to lead the 2026 “retrofit boom” driven by global refrigerant transitions.

At LG Electronics The HVAC business is no longer just a “side” segment for the South Korean Company it is now a primary driver of their US $14.4 billion revenue goal for 2030.

As of early 2026, the Companies B2B businesses (led by HVAC and vehicle solutions) have grown to represent roughly 45% of LG’s total revenue, up from 29% in 2021.

The local business is also moving to grow their sell direct operation in an effort to cut out retail margin with the business globally also looking also looking to sell subscription TV’s and appliances a move that also eliminates the need for a retailer.

LG plans to increase its B2b future-growth investment by over 40% this year, specifically targeting air conditioning in Australia.

 

ChannelNews has reached out to Robertson and LG Electronics for comment, we are still waiting for a reply.