Management Team
Chris Bryce – Managing Director
Chris spent over ten years with PricewaterhouseCoopers providing audit and consulting advice to major retail and service companies in Australia and the United States. In 1999, Chris joined a computer and internet company as the Chief Financial Officer. He became the General Manager - Operations in 2000, a position he held until 2003. Chris was the Chief Financial Officer at The Reject Shop from February 2003 until September 2009 when he was appointed Managing Director.
Darren Briggs – Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary
Darren spent over ten years working with Deloitte in Australia and United States. Darren then spent the next thirteen years working in senior finance roles at large corporations, most recently ten years at Skilled Group Limited. Darren joined The Reject Shop as Financial Controller/Company Secretary in May 2008 and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer/Company Secretary in October 2009.
Sam Blakeney – General Manager – Merchandise Planning
Sam has 18 years of retail experience in the UK and Australia. He commenced in the UK with BHS before moving into planning at Debenhams. Sam moved to Australia in 2002, joining The Reject Shop in March 2003 as an analyst. He was responsible for setting up the planning team, progressing to planning manager and merchandise controller. Sam was appointed to General Manager Merchandise Planning in July 2011.
Ray Frawley – General Manager – Operations
Ray has over 25 years of senior management experience, most recently as Managing Director of McDonald’s Korea. Ray has also held positions at McDonald’s as Global Change Manager, Vice-President Information Services and Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Ray joined The Reject Shop in January 2011.
Dani Aquilina– General Manager – Logistics
Dani has more than 13 years’ experience in retail including over 8 years with Kmart. Since joining The Reject Shop in 2007, Dani has played key roles in the development of the Ipswich Distribution Centre and managing National Logistics operations. She has a Masters of Business in Supply Chain and Logistics Management and is a member of the Logistics Association of Australia. Dani was appointed General Manager - Distribution in January 2013.
Darren O’Connor – Chief Information Officer
Darren has had a diverse career for over 20 years in information technology, including roles in IT development, analysis, testing, support and management in Australia and the United Kingdom. Darren has specialised in managing information systems in branch model organisations such as retailers, rural suppliers and gaming companies. He is a member of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Darren joined The Reject Shop as Chief Information Officer in July 2001.
Phillip Nutbean – General Manager – Property
Phillip has worked in commercial and retail real estate for over 30 years and is a licensed real estate agent. His extensive retail property experience includes four years with Coles Myer Ltd as Property Executive for the Fosseys division. Phillip has been responsible for opening over 200 stores since joining The Reject Shop, first as a consultant from 1995 and then as Property Manager from May 2001.
Allan Penrose – General Manager – Marketing
Allan has over 20 years experience in advertising and marketing roles within the retail industry and retail services, with his most recent roles being at Target Australia and before that Solomon Partnership. Allan joined The Reject Shop in August 2010.
Geoff Pearce – General Manager – Business Process Transformation
Geoff has over 18 years of retail experience including consulting and IT management. He has previously worked with a diverse range of retailers to design and implement processes and systems supporting all aspects of retail planning and operations. Geoff joined The Reject Shop in December 2002 in the IT department and has been heavily involved in the delivery of many transformational projects. Geoff was appointed to General Manager – Business Process Transformation in January 2012.
Mike Shields – General Manager – Buying
Mike is an extremely experienced retail professional with an extensive background in retailing across a number of disciplines, including buying, planning, operations and distribution, with his early career experience within the Coles Myer Group and predominately with Target Australia. Mike also spent 12 years with ExxonMobil both local and overseas, with Senior Management roles in Asia Pacific, Europe and Global Head Office, with overall responsibility for the management of Global Convenience Store Supply Chain, Global Category Management for assigned categories and European Category Management. On returning to Australia Mike also spent time with Retail Adventures as GM of Merchandise, prior to running a management consulting business. Mike joined The Reject Shop in April 2012.
Josie Pileio – General Manager – Human Resources
Josie is MBA qualified and an experienced senior HR professional with over 25 years in retail. Josie has extensive knowledge and experience across several international markets in the application of a diverse range of HR Management disciplines, including Organisational Development, Learning and Development, Employer Relations, Recruitment and Change management. She has worked for some large retail organizations, such as Daimaru; Myer Stores Ltd; Borders Asia Pacific and most recently at Target Australia. Josie joined The Reject Shop in July 2012.
