September After Misleading the Board of the $4 Billion Company Over an Affair With a Subordinate, a Scandal That Cost Super Retail Nearly

Heraghty was dismissed last September after misleading the board of the $4 billion company over an affair with a subordinate, a scandal that cost Super Retail nearly $30 million in legal bills. Winning Group, a century-old family-owned white goods retailer, is preparing for a potential sharemarket float and recently secured investment from Ellerston Capital, targeting a $1 billion listing next year. The affair allegations emerged in late 2023 via anonymous whistleblower complaints, leading to litigation from former chief legal officer Rebecca Farrell and company secretary Amelia Berczelly, who alleged bullying, harassment, and breaches of whistleblower protections.

Super Retail initially denied the claims, fought the litigation, and terminated Farrell and Berczelly, who said they were hospitalised for stress. The company eventually settled after terminating Heraghty, with legal fees totaling $28.3 million. An Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation into the whistleblower dispute remains ongoing.