New evidence from Federal Court proceedings has led to the sacking of Super Retail CEO Anthony Heraghty, ending a saga of alleged misconduct at the Brisbane-based retailer.

The controversy began in November 2023 when an anonymous tip to the company’s whistleblower platform, Whispli, alleged a secret relationship between Heraghty and former head of human resources Jane Kelly.

Court documents later revealed Heraghty’s ex-wife claimed the affair dated back to 2020.

Internal complaints also highlighted misuse of company resources and travel, as well as alleged inappropriate conduct, though Super Retail has denied these claims.

The scandal erupted publicly in April 2024 amid claims of workplace bullying and a toxic culture, allegedly fuelled by the affair.

Former chief legal officer Rebecca Farrell and co-company secretary Amelia Berczelly, who raised complaints about the relationship, were terminated and are now pursuing legal action alleging retaliation and harassment.

Former Super Retail executives Rebecca Farrell (left) and Amelia Berczelly (right)

After more than a year of board support and public denials, a wave of subpoenas filed last week reportedly brought forward evidence that contradicted Heraghty’s previous disclosures.

The board described his responses as “not satisfactory,” triggering the immediate termination of the CEO.

Heraghty was also stripped of vested and unvested incentives worth around $3.4 million, though he continues to hold 444,494 shares valued at about $7.3 million.

Australian Shareholders Association CEO Rachel Waterhouse praised the decision to dock bonuses as “absolutely necessary,” while stressing that CEO accountability and ethical leadership are critical for maintaining stakeholder trust. She noted the timing of the revelations was “quite concerning,” raising questions about internal processes and oversight.

Chief financial officer David Burns has been appointed interim CEO while the search for a permanent replacement continues.

Shares in the ASX-listed retailer fell sharply, opening at $16.03 on Tuesday, down from $17.26 the previous day.

Heraghty, who joined Super Retail in 2019 from Pacific Brands, had an FY25 package valued at $3.32 million, including performance rights worth over $800,000.

The case has sparked renewed attention on corporate workplace culture and executive accountability, following similar high-profile incidents at Nestlé and Astronomer. With court proceedings ongoing, the full ramifications for Super Retail remain unclear.