A new chapter unfolds for Endeavour Group with the announcement of Jayne Hrdlicka as its upcoming managing director and chief executive officer, set to commence in January 2026. This decision marks a pivotal moment for the company as it gears up for an ambitious phase of expansion. The leadership transition follows Ari Mervis's tenure, who assumed the role earlier this year after Steve Donohue's departure. According to Mervis, the board conducted a thorough international search before selecting Hrdlicka, emphasizing her exceptional qualifications and strategic acumen.

Hrdlicka brings a wealth of experience from various prominent Australian consumer enterprises, where she demonstrated expertise in transforming businesses through deep consumer understanding and effective strategy implementation. Notably, she led Virgin Australia out of administration, served as the CEO of A2 Milk Company, and held the Group CEO position at Jetstar Group. Additionally, she contributed to Woolworths Group as a non-executive director between 2010 and 2016, during which time she was involved with Endeavour Group’s liquor and hospitality divisions. Her ability to navigate complex organizations and enhance shareholder value has been widely recognized.

As Endeavour Group embarks on its next stage of development, Hrdlicka expresses enthusiasm about collaborating with over 30,000 team members to continue serving millions of customers while unlocking further value for shareholders. Established in 2018 through the merger of ALH Hotel Groups and Endeavour Drinks, the group boasts an extensive portfolio encompassing Paragon Wine Estates, Pinnacle Drinks, Langtons, and numerous liquor stores across Australia. This appointment underscores the organization's commitment to leveraging strong leadership to drive innovation and growth. The future looks promising as experienced guidance aligns with market opportunities to propel Endeavour Group toward sustained success.