Melbourne, Australia, March 2026 — Coles Group has appointed Clive Mathieson as Group Corporate Affairs Officer, joining the company’s Executive Leadership Team to lead its corporate affairs, communications, and stakeholder engagement strategy.
In this role, Mathieson will oversee Coles’ corporate affairs agenda, including government relations, strategic communications, media engagement, and stakeholder partnerships as the company continues to strengthen its position as one of Australia’s leading retailers.
Coles Group highlighted Mathieson’s extensive experience across corporate affairs, government, and media, noting his strong track record in managing high-profile stakeholder engagement and strategic communications initiatives.
Most recently, Mathieson served as Partner at Cato & Clive Partners, a strategic communications firm, where he spent the past seven years advising organizations on media and stakeholder strategy, major corporate transactions, and complex issues management.
Earlier in his career, he held several senior leadership roles within government. He served as Chief of Staff to a former Australian Prime Minister and Deputy Chief of Staff, contributing to key policy and communications strategies at the national level. He also worked with the Office of the NSW Premier, where he held roles including Deputy Chief of Staff and Director, supporting senior leadership on government and public affairs matters.
Before transitioning into government and corporate advisory roles, Mathieson spent more than two decades in journalism. He worked with The Australian, where he served as Editor and held several editorial roles over nearly 14 years. Earlier, he worked with The Times in the United Kingdom as a Business Correspondent, covering business and economic developments.
With a career spanning journalism, government leadership, and strategic communications consulting, Clive Mathieson brings deep expertise in public affairs, media strategy, and stakeholder engagement to his new role at Coles Group.
About Coles Group
Coles Group is one of Australia’s leading retailers, operating more than 1,800 retail outlets nationwide and employing over 115,000 team members across its store network, corporate offices, manufacturing, distribution, and fulfillment operations.
The company works with more than 8,000 suppliers and serves millions of customers every week through both physical stores and digital platforms. As one of Australia’s largest employers, Coles is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse communities it serves while delivering quality products and services to customers across the country.
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