Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, June 2025 – Coles Group has announced the appointment of Deborah Yates as its new Chief People Officer, bringing to the role more than 28 years of global expertise in people leadership, culture, and transformation. Deborah steps into this pivotal role during a period of sustained growth and change for the iconic retailer, succeeding Kris Webb, who has made a lasting impact since joining the business in 2018.
Deborah joins Coles Group following a successful period as Principal at DYates Advisory, where she provided strategic people advisory and senior C-suite coaching to organizations in Australia and internationally. Her advisory work has been informed by extensive C-suite experience across multiple sectors.
Previously, Deborah served as Global Chief People Officer at Lendlease, where she shaped and led people and culture strategy across a complex, international portfolio, focusing on transformation and building inclusive workplaces. She also contributed to the sector as a board member for The Sanctuary – The Hills Women’s Shelter and the Corporate Mental Health Alliance Australia, demonstrating her commitment to employee well-being and corporate mental health.
Earlier in her career, Deborah spent nearly four years at KPMG Australia, culminating in her role as National Managing Partner People and Corporate Affairs, following leadership of People Performance and Culture. At Reckitt (RB), she held a series of progressive global HR roles for almost 14 years, including SVP HR (CHRO), Area HR Director for Europe and North America, and other senior leadership positions in the UK, Netherlands, USA, and Australia.
Deborah’s earlier experiences include HR leadership roles at News Corporation, Australian Meat Association, and Qantas, giving her a well-rounded foundation in people operations across diverse sectors and geographies. Her appointment signals Coles Group’s ongoing commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive workplace, delivering on its purpose of helping Australians eat and live better every day.
About Coles Group
Coles Group is one of Australia’s largest and most recognized retailers, employing over 115,000 team members across every state and territory. The Group encompasses grocery and liquor retail operations, online channels, manufacturing, supply chain, and a broad range of commercial and corporate services. With a mission to help Australians eat and live better every day, Coles Group remains committed to delivering trusted, sustainable, and healthy food solutions to millions of customers nationwide, while fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and community impact.
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