Mark McInnes, the former CEO of David Jones who resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct in June last year, has made a swift comeback to retailing with the announcement on Friday that he will take the lead at Solomon Lew’s Premier Investments group.

Premier owns Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Portmans, Jacqui E, and Peter Alexander with about 950 stores through Australia and New Zealand. 

Mr McInnes will be on a $2 million annual salary plus bonuses that could rise as high as $3.2 million a year.

Solomon Lew, Chairman of the all-male board of Premier Investments, has welcomed McInnes to the CEO seat saying in a company announcement that “Mark is one of Australia’s most successful retailers”.  Lew also pointed out that a misconduct clause has been included in McInnes’ contract.

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“I think it’s true in life you do learn more from your failures than your successes and I have assured the Premier board and Solomon Lew that I will uphold Premier’s high standards of workplace values and performance,” Mr McInnes said.

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I’m sure all the men on the board were comforted by these assurances.  I wonder if the women working in the Just Group feel the same?  I wonder if the women who shop at Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Portmans, Jacque E and Peter Alexander will remember how McInnes came to be leading the group?  Or if they even care?

Much of the McInnes story has surprised me to date, but nothing more so than how quickly he has managed to manoeuvre a swift return to the big chair and with a salary package to match. 

What’s your take on it?  I’d love to hear your thoughts…

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Cath commented on 28-Mar-2011 02:05 PM

You'd think that with all the talent in the retail environment, and with fashion being their main product, they'd have been able to find a female executive to take their group to the next level. If they can take the risk on a person with a soiled track record, surely they could take the risk on a female executive leader.

Sandy commented on 28-Mar-2011 02:10 PM

I wonder how long it will take Kristy Farzer-Kirk to land another high profile job? Its incredibly disappointing that this behavious is so quickly forgotten, and really, was there no-one more capable??

Kate McCallum commented on 28-Mar-2011 02:15 PM

How strange. Interestingly, the share price rose 3% on the announcement, and as far as I can see, DJs share price hasn't responded to his misdemeanours or departure over the past 12 months. Attitude seems to make little difference in an environment where institutional powers are at play.

Jennifer Bailey commented on 28-Mar-2011 02:22 PM

Extraordinary! words fail me...

Kim commented on 28-Mar-2011 02:29 PM

I was just thinking about how often bad behaviour (bullying, etc) seems to be rewarded in big organisations, when this news came through. The message this sends to those at the top regarding their behaviour (that they can get away with anything, as long as they get the results) is worrying. I quite liked the Peter Alexander brand, but will now have to rethink shopping there.

Tracey commented on 28-Mar-2011 03:23 PM

Has the talent shortage come to this? Solly Lew, what do your women employees and customers think?

Helen Robinett commented on 28-Mar-2011 07:05 PM

Of course there are very capable women for the job. I'm working with women who want to be on boards to step up their professional image. My experience is that they are not projecting an image that fits their experience and skill set. Looking dated is not congruent with a strategic skill set to move an organisation forward! As for the Just Group, I'll be avoiding them.

Marilyn Forsythe commented on 28-Mar-2011 10:24 PM

Every person is entitled to a second chance even Mark McInnes but I trust that the new company has a very strong code of conduct about sexual harrassment as they may need it. If I was working in this company and was junior to McInness I would be worried. Is this the kind of environment that woman should have to work in? Always been alert for unsuitable behaviour from your superior?

Samantha commented on 29-Mar-2011 07:22 AM

I once WAS a DJ's customer but have been in a store since McInnes's behaviour was made public. All my Xmas shopping was elsewhere this year. With 3 young children and 18 nieces & nephews I have been a huge Smiggle customer too. Not anymore. Nor will I ever own another pair of Peter Alexander PJ's nor will I step foot on a Portmans, Jacqui E Jag or Dianna Ferrari (should Lew decider to acquire those brands as well). Vote with your $$ girls!

Wendy Buckingham commented on 31-Mar-2011 03:32 PM

I have to take the other tack and I know I will get some flack. I'm glad to see Mark McGinnes has got another job and another chance on the basis of his business acumen. Whilst I agree that his type of behavior needs to be addressed and that he is a real sleaze bag, I have little sympathy for this particular "victim" or the process she was encouraged to engage in.

If a powerful woman, in the jungle of PR no less, (not a vulnerable or insecure unskilled worker or an 18 year old) cannot handle a few gropes without resorting to legal action, what does that say about the her power and the power and equality of women.

We have to be careful we don't just exchange our enraged fathers to protect our honour, for the law. We need to learn to look after ourselves and educate our young women to stand up for themselves and handle these situations without resorting to the law or being in fear of their jobs.

A good swift kick in the balls and/or a threat to go higher and take action if he did not change his behavior could have done the trick.

I acknowledge there are some cases where sexual harassment cases are justified, but, like unfair dismissal, I think it has gone beyond reasonable in many instances, mainly because of the possible profitability of litigation.

Samantha commented on 31-Mar-2011 04:13 PM

Thanks Wendy, I know who NOT to go to for life coaching now too. Really, does the relative power of a CEO compare with that of a PR manager? And should 20 years of inappropriate behaviour go un reprimanded – and infact rewarded. The lesson to execs is that there are no dire consequences. The lesson to employees is that there are.

Kim Wilkinson commented on 31-Mar-2011 08:53 PM

I will make my own protest at this inequity but making sure I do not support these brands in any way. Won't have any affect, I know but it will make me feel better!

Wendy Buckingham commented on 09-Apr-2011 10:47 AM

Samantha, If you read my post again you will see I did not condone his behavior or that it should have not have been curtailed. Did he go unreprimanded? No. Did he lose his job? Yes. Doesn't everybody deserve to be given another chance to do what they are good at? Would you have every mistake you have ever made hang over you for life so you remained unemployed? I guess not.
And, if you had come to me for coaching, I would have coached you to be more assertive and powerful in your own right so you would only have needed to use legal avenues as a very last resort.

The SheEO commented on 14-Apr-2011 02:16 PM

Great comments from everyone on this issue, and it's been interesting to see some diversity of thought. I'm planning a follow up post on this topic... and how it relates to some of the other trends we are seeing in leadership currently. Stay tuned!