News Archive

Roger Corbett, former CEO and Director of Woolworth's Ltd reviewed the success of Woolworths and future challenges, at the annual GMA black tie dinner.

Michael Chaney, Chairman of NAB, former CEO of Wesfarmers and patron of the University of Western Australia's Graduate Management Association, introduced Roger Corbett to 170 of Perth's top business people and academics at Fraser's Restaurant on 17 May 2008.

Mr Corbett offered insights into what makes a good retailer and some of the key mistakes that some retail operations make. He revealed his vision for "house" brands and their potential to maximise returns.

GMA President, Norm Roberts, said "Roger's insights on the parallel operations of Woolworths and Coles were frank and illuminating.  He revealed a depth of thinking and foresight that clearly justifies his current role on the board of the world's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart.  With Mr. Corbett's experience, his predictions of the future challenges facing businesses and leaders, such as meeting future global consumption of food and energy and the implications of a potential five to ten fold increase in energy costs within a generation, have even greater resonance.  He certainly inspired us to meet his challenge of delivering integrity in leadership."

Pat Breuer received the prestigious GMA Charles Harper Prize as the MBA Graduate who has made the greatest overall contribution to the UWA MBA program in 2007.  This award was presented by Mrs Margaret Harper and Dr Michael Chaney.