SYDNEY, 2025: One of Australia’s most shocking corporate scandals is the fall from grace of Anthony Heraghty, who was once praised as the CEO of Super Retail Group who changed the company for the better. After a whistleblower complaint revealed personal misconduct, bullying, and misuse of company resources, Heraghty was fired. He had been in charge of the successful brands Rebel Sport, BCF, and Macpac.
This well-known case shows how weak corporate leadership is in the age of openness and scrutiny, raising important questions about how companies are run and how honest their leaders are.
Originally Published on Auburn Times
The Hidden Affair and the Whistleblower Complaint
In November 2023, Super Retail Group’s internal whistleblower portal, Whispli, got an anonymous tip about an affair between Heraghty and Jane Kelly, the company’s head of human resources. The whistleblower also made a number of serious accusations, such as bullying, misusing money, and a toxic work environment connected to the secret relationship.
As the investigation went on, it came to light that Heraghty’s ex-wife had confirmed that the affair had started in 2020, a year earlier than what had been said before. These revelations caused a public outcry and a lot of complaints within the company, which led to a huge legal battle.
Lawsuits and problems at work
Two high-ranking executives, Rebecca Farrell (Chief Legal Officer) and Amelia Berczelly (Co-Company Secretary), filed formal complaints against the company in April 2024, saying that they had been harassed, bullied, worked in unsafe conditions, and violated governance rules. After these complaints, there were mediation sessions, but they didn’t work out. The executives went to Federal Court with their case in July 2024.
In June 2025, Super Retail’s defence team said that Farrell had talked to Jane Kelly about the affair in October 2023. The company, on the other hand, said that there was no retaliation or misuse of funds. Even though they said no, Heraghty’s reputation and the company’s image were already badly hurt.
The firing of Heraghty and the drama in the boardroom
In October 2025, the crisis got worse when a Federal Court ruling found proof that Heraghty’s statements to the board were false. Judith Swales is now in charge of the Super Retail Group board, which decided to fire him because of new evidence that came to light during the legal proceedings. The company also took away Heraghty’s bonuses, which were worth about A$3.4 million, and said that he still owned A$7.3 million worth of shares.
The Reaction – Concerns from shareholders and effects on the market
After Heraghty was fired, Super Retail Group’s stock fell 4.3% to A$16.52, which shows that the market was worried about the change in leadership. But most investors didn’t seem to mind the news. Chris Prunty of QVG Capital said that the board’s quick action “brings certainty rather than disruption.”
Allegations from whistleblowers and failures in corporate governance
Internal documents show a troubling pattern of ignoring concerns, with several warnings about the affair and workplace behaviour being ignored or dismissed. Juan Modinger, a former executive assistant, quit after hearing about the affair. Other employees said that Heraghty acted inappropriately, like when he put his hand on Kelly’s thigh during a company event in 2022.
Even though the company said that no money had been misused and that the workplace was safe, these problems kept happening, which made both employees and executives more and more upset.
ASIC’s Role and the Changing Attitude Towards Corporate Responsibility
After that, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) looked into how Super Retail Group dealt with the complaints and the company’s overall culture. The regulator is looking into why the company’s own procedures didn’t stop the disagreement from going to Federal Court.
Heraghty’s fall adds to a growing list of corporate scandals around the world that involve secret executive relationships. For example, in 2025, Nestlé’s Laurent Freixe and Astronomer CEO Andy Byron both faced similar ethical breaches.
Heraghty’s career is over, and what will happen to Super Retail Group?
After Heraghty was let go, David Burns, the company’s CFO, took over as acting CEO. The board has said that it will look for a permanent replacement outside of the company. Analysts say that the change in leadership will affect the company’s short-term stability, but Super Retail Group’s strong brand portfolio and customer base should help it get through the tough times.
A Warning for Australian Businesses
Heraghty’s dramatic fall from grace is a strong reminder for corporate boards of how important it is to keep their integrity and follow the rules. Super Retail Group’s quick actions, like cancelling bonuses and hiring new leaders, show that Australian businesses will no longer put up with unethical behaviour from their executives.
This case serves as a warning to businesses that they need to be open and responsible in today’s business world.
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