Michael James Endeavour Group’s incumbent Director of Operations will retire in September of this year, having also served as Director of Dan Murphy’s.
In a retail career that has lasted more than three decades, James (also known as ‘MJ’) worked his way up from the shop floor of his local supermarket in Lismore into senior operational leadership roles. In 2012, he joined BWS as Managing Director, prior to the Woolworths-Endeavour demerger.
James held roles across the Woolworths Group, running Woolworths Metro and Petrol, and was Director of Stores for Woolworths Supermarkets, prior to becoming Chief Operations Office at Big W.
In 2020, James was appointed Director of Operations for Endeavour Group, having re-joined the company in 2018 as the Director of Dan Murphy’s.
James looked back on his time in retail and with Woolworths and Endeavour fondly.
“I have had a very fortunate career in retail, the good times and the tough times and finding the ‘knack’ to balance the outcomes. I have enjoyed all the teams I’ve worked with, and locations I’ve lived in and visited across the country.”
Steve Donohue, Endeavour CEO and Managing Director, hailed James’s long, varied and successful career.
“MJ has achieved a lot during his time with Endeavour, in particular helping us become a more effective and efficient business. He’s provided invaluable support to team members throughout the Group, especially in improving customer experience today and into the future,” Donohue said.
“He has made an enormous contribution in establishing Endeavour as a standalone business, and I wish him all the very best for his retirement,” the Endeavour MD concluded.
James explained how he planned to spend his retirement.
“I’m really looking forward to enjoying the coastal lifestyle, surfing, golfing and being able to visit the gym with no time restraints, so I can be fit to travel the world.”