ARC
CEO Lunch 2026
Brought to you by American Express
Competing on a global stage
How retailers in Australia are playing to win
Please join us for ARC’s exclusive annual CEO lunch in Sydney where we will explore the rising forces of retail competition and how retailers operating in Australia can stay ahead.
Under Chatham House rules, we will discuss:
- How are Australian retailers succeeding on the world stage?
- How are retailers changing up their global supply chain strategies to stay ahead?
- What are some innovative responses to the emergence of ultra low-cost global competitors?
- What more can we do to back the retailers that back Australia?
Full agenda and speakers will be announced shortly.
This event is brought to you by the Australian Retail Council, supported by principal partner American Express.
Ticket sales close on Thursday 30 April 2026.
Featured speakers
Amanda Bardwell
Group CEO & Managing Director Australian Food
Woolworths Group
Erica Berchtold
Chief Commercial Officer
David Jones
Event details
- Thursday 07 May 2026
- Midday – 3:00pm AEDT
- The Lands, by Capella - 2 Gresham Street, Sydney
Buy tickets
Single Ticket
Venue: The Lands, By Capella
Non Member: $299.00
Speaker lineup
Exciting additions to the speaker lineup coming soon
Jere Calmes
Chief Executive Officer
THE ICONIC
About Jere
Jere Calmes is the CEO of THE ICONIC, Australia and New Zealand’s leading fashion and lifestyle platform. With more than 30 years’ international experience in large-scale, customer‑centric organisations, he has built and managed innovative digital and retail platforms across Europe.
Since joining THE ICONIC in July 2023, following a three‑year tenure at fashion e‑commerce business Lamoda and a prior CEO role at Metro Cash & Carry Russia, Jere has brought clear strategic direction and an empowering leadership style that delivers strong commercial outcomes. Known for his product-led approach, he supports his teams to test and scale new ideas with measurable impact for the business and its customer. His global perspective and experience in e‑commerce and adjacent sectors underpin his role at THE ICONIC and his contribution to the broader ANZ e‑commerce landscape.
Chris Rodwell
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Retail Council
About Chris
Chris Rodwell is CEO of the Australian Retail Council (ARC) – the amalgamated entity which will combine the strengths of leading retail peak bodies the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA).
He is determined to elevate the critical contribution the $444 billion retail sector makes to the Australian economy and communities across the nation.
A seasoned CEO and Board Director with experience working across Australia and internationally, Chris was previously the outgoing CEO of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Western Australia (CCIWA).
During his seven-year tenure at CCIWA, Chris secured several major policy outcomes, including landmark reform of Australia’s system for GST distribution, improving environment regulation and employment support for people with disabilities. Chris also led CCIWA in playing a fundamental role in supporting business and workplaces through the pandemic.
Prior to this role, Chris spent an extended period abroad developing Australia’s international trade and investment footprint for both the Australian and Queensland Governments, supporting business across all sectors of the economy.
His work in international business spans Australasia, North America, Latin America, and Europe. Chris will be located in Sydney and has lived and worked across many parts of the nation.
He is married to Katie and together they have four children. He is also a passionate advocate for people with disabilities through D-Dads.
Angad Soin
Managing Director, AU/NZ & Global Chief Strategy Officer
Xero
About Angad
Angad Soin is Managing Director Australia and New Zealand and Global Chief Strategy Officer at global small business platform Xero. In this dual role, Angad is responsible for revenue, partner and customer engagement, and strategy across the ANZ region, as well as leading the development and execution of Xero’s global strategy and driving operational excellence. Having joined Xero in 2021 following 13 years at Deloitte, Angad is passionate about championing Australia’s small business sector and helping entrepreneurs find success – whatever that looks like to them. As a technology leader, he is also dedicated to championing the AU/NZ region as a hub for world-class tech talent and innovation.
Kimberlee Wells
CEO
TBWA\Australia
About Kimberlee
Agenda
Full agenda will be announced shortly.
11:30 AM
Registration, Refreshments and Networking
12.00 PM
Welcome to Country
12:05 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Nicole Sheffield, Board Chair, Australian Retail Council
12:10 PM
Fireside Chat: From Shop Floor to CEO: Amanda Bardwell on Leadership and The Retail Fundamentals
Chris Rodwell, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Amanda Bardwell, Group CEO & Managing Director Australian Food, Woolworths Group
1:00 PM
Fireside Chat:
Nicole Sheffield, Board Chair, Australian Retail Council (ARC)
Erica Berchtold, Chief Commercial Officer, David Jones
2:00 PM
Event concludes
Event partner
About American Express
American Express (NYSE: AXP) is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. Our colleagues around the world back our customers with differentiated products, services and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.
Founded in 1850 and headquartered in New York, American Express’ brand is built on trust, security, and service, and a rich history of delivering innovation and Membership value for our customers. With over a hundred million merchant locations across our global network, we seek to provide the world’s best customer experience every day to a broad range of consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and large corporations.
For more information about American Express, visit americanexpress.com, americanexpress.com/en-us/newsroom/, and ir.americanexpress.com.
