Meet 7-Eleven’s new chief executive

Convenience chain 7-Eleven has appointed a new chief executive, six months after the company was rocked by serious allegations of employee underpayments and a cover-up by head office.

7-Eleven chairman Michael Smith today announced Angus McKay has been appointed the company’s chief executive.

McKay steps into the role immediately, and was previously the managing director of labour hire company Skilled Group Limited.

Read more: 7-Eleven’s new franchising model revealed

McKay said in a statement he is delighted to oversee 7-Eleven’s plan to continue to enhance governance and oversight to ensure the brand can be “the best it can be”.

“I am committed to building a strong relationship with our franchisees and enabling them to run their stores in a way that delivers value for them as small business people, provides innovative and quality products and outstanding service for customers and where stores are satisfying places to work,” McKay said. 

“Working with franchisees as well as our suppliers and other stakeholders will be a crucial part in 7-Eleven’s on-going success and being an industry leader.” 

McKay has had leadership roles at freight and ports operator Asciano and alcohol company Foster’s.

The 7-Eleven chief executive was also the chief financial officer of New Zealand Milk – a subsidiary of diary giant Fonterra – back in 2002.

McKay steps into the role at a time when the Fair Work Ombudsman is continuing to prosecute 7-Eleven franchisees over underpayment allegations.

7-Eleven franchisees in Melbourne have recently placed signs in their shop windows outlining what the company is doing to address the allegations first raised by Fairfax journalist Adele Ferguson in a bid to win back customer loyalty.