Bernie Brookes Travels from Sydney, NSW

Bernie’s a Managing Director/CEO with expertise and substantial experience in Retail and wholesale Operations, Buying, Information Technology Systems, Supply Chain and Human Resource management in a fast moving and dynamic environment. His experience includes leading a multi-divisional organisation during significant periods of change and re-engineering. Having worked in three states across all major divisions, he has an excellent grasp of a variety of areas of senior management.

He has significant international experience. His strengths include expertise in business management displaying energetic and self confidence with the ability to find solutions to complex situations, through analytical, conceptual and entrepreneurial skills. Ultimately he is motivated by results. With 40 years of experience he brings substantial skills in managing change, organising people and leading teams with a passion for entrepreneurial-ship and empowerment.

Bernie is the founding judge of the World Retail Congress Awards which provides judging from retailers all around the world at the World Retail Congress. This involves the submission and judging of retailers from all around the World in the Retail Congress and also he sits on the Advisory Group for the World Retail Congress. Some 16 awards are adjudicated with winners including Selfridges, Tesco, Macy’s H & M. etc.

Bernie is also on the Board of the International Group of Department Stores (IGDS) which represents over 30 department store groups around the world. As an active member he is involved in all aspects of the International Group of Department Stores helping the IGDS with the annual conference, the World Department Store Conference as well as the World Retail Congress which are held each year.

Bernie has established a joint venture between Woolworths and Tata in the year 2000 by living in Mumbai for over 2 years to establish a set-up of the Croma Stores which was a 30 store chain which turned out to be quite successful for both Woolworths and Tata. He was awarded an Indian Icon Award by the Indian Retail Association.

Bernie also established the supply and procurement offices in Shenzhen for Woolworths and then in Hong Kong and Shanghai for Myer.

Bernie speaks at many international conferences and is an active member of the two largest retail Boards in the World.

Bernie is currently on the Advisory Board for the Southern area command with the Salvation Army of Australia. He has been an active Board member for some four years. He volunteers for the Salvation Army to assist in various sub committees and programs as well as assisting on various Advisory Boards and Government liaison Councils.

Bernie has also been a strong supporter of the Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Clinic, Redkite and Vision Australia. All of these involved various sponsorship and support operations initially from Woolworths and more recently from Myer Holdings Ltd to assist these organisations.

In 2019 Bernie became Chair of Funtastic, which owns brands such as Pillow Pets, Chill Factor and Floaties.