Officeworks is undergoing a major shake-up under new CEO John Gualtieri, just weeks after he stepped into the role, with several senior executives exiting in a move that has surprised both staff and suppliers.

Ironically the announcement relating to the changes was made late on Friday afternoon, after the markets had closed and when when it would create less interest for media Companies.

Officeworks new CEO John Gualtieri,

Gualtieri, the former head of Kmart and Target, took over as Managing Director in August from Sara Hunter.

Officeworks Chief Commercial Officer Jim Berndelis,

He has since announced a sweeping restructure of the Wesfarmers-owned retailer, resulting in the departure of Chief Commercial Officer Jim Berndelis, General Manager of Merchandise Jarryd McCarthy, and Troy Verhagen, who had been head of commercial strategy since 2019.

General Manager of Merchandise Jarryd McCarthy,

Verhagen was previously tasked with scaling Officeworks’ education business, including its acquisition of Box of Books, which was integrated into the group’s education division.

The shake-up has raised eyebrows among suppliers, many of whom were attending IFA 2025 in Berlin, where the news quickly became a major talking point.

In a leaked internal email, Gualtieri confirmed that Tim Lane, Officeworks’ long-serving General Manager of Finance, has been appointed General Manager of Merchandise. Lane, who has worked in finance at Wesfarmers since 2004, will now report to the Chief Commercial Officer. However, the appointment has raised questions within the industry about his lack of hands-on merchandising experience.

Officeworks.

According to insiders, the restructure will see Officeworks place greater emphasis on private-label lines and could pave the way for the introduction of Anko products into its stores. Anko, a Kmart-owned brand, has become a cornerstone of Wesfarmers’ house-brand strategy, delivering significant profits and expanding internationally through partnerships with major retailers such as Hudson Bay and Walmart.

The move mirrors Wesfarmers’ broader strategy of building strong in-house labels that appeal to consumers seeking both value and quality.

However, Officeworks’ foray into new product categories hasn’t always paid off. Around 18 months ago, the company expanded into electronics traditionally dominated by JB Hi-Fi, including a push into Sony TVs—a venture that has reportedly delivered mixed results.

Gualtieri said the restructure is designed to ensure Officeworks is “well positioned” to meet its strategic priorities and “drive the next phase” of growth.

As part of the changes, Trudi Chesterton, General Manager of Officeworks’ Business-to-Business arm, will expand her remit to include both B2B and Business-to-Education operations.