Former COURTS CEO Terry O’ Connor takes the reigns at Matahari Department Store

Matahari Department Store has appointed Terry O’ Connor as the new CEO. He took on the role at the start of January 2020 following the departure of Richard Gibson, who stepped down as CEO effective 31 October 2019.

O’Connor has spent 26 years at Courts Asia. Under his 20 years of leadership until 1 July this year, Courts undertook a strategic transformation journey towards solutions selling, omni-channel retailing as well as geographic expansion. His efforts have helped establish Courts’ brand and reputation as a regional leader in the electrical, IT and furniture categories. The timing of the appointment was to allow for a smooth transition of responsibilities, during which Gibson advised the leadership team.

In a previous interview with Marketing Interactive, O’ Connor shared his belief that marketers need to have the ability to reinvent and bring freshness to the work. "It’s fine to retain a unique signature, but the marketplace is changing and the shift to digital only means marketers need to harness all tools and channels at their disposal for maximum, meaningful impact," he said.

On the issue of talent he added that given the nature of the marketing industry being so highly fluid and dynamic, it is largely anchored by great relationships. "For instance, clients follow individuals more so than agencies. Good marketers are by nature restless, and employers should take talent development seriously to keep young talent interested, engaged and mobile within their organisations," he said.

Meanwhile, Gibson who was first CFO with the company, and then as CEO, played a key role in growing the business to more than IDR 18 trillion in annual sales and over 165 stores. Gibson will remain on the board of directors as non-executive director.

Gibson said, “It has been a pleasure to have led Matahari for the past few years. I have had the privilege of working with talented individuals who are committed to the success of the Matahari brand. Given the company’s transition into a new phase of growth, leadership change is necessary and I welcome my successor and wish him the best of luck.”