1. Jan CameronCompany: Retail Adventures
Established: 2006
Revenue: $1 billion*
Jan Cameron is best known as the founder of outdoor wear chain Kathmandu, which she sold to a private equity company in 2006 for about $300 million, but her new business Retail Adventures, is an even bigger operation. In April 2009 the company purchased Australian Discount Retail out of administration and has set about rebuilding the business. The company operates the Chickenfeed, Sam’s Warehouse, Crazy Clark’s, Go-Lo and my place It’s Home chains, which have over 330 stores, 8000 employees and annual sales revenue of around $1 billion.
mCompany: Sussan Group
Established: 1939
Revenue: $496 million*
While Naomi Milgrom’s parents Marc and Eva Besen were responsible for much of the development and expansion of Sussan Group, Milgrom is now firmly in control after buying out her parents and siblings in 2003. The company, whose brands include Sussan, Sportsgirl and Suzanne Grae, has over 550 stores and more than 4,000 staff. Milgrom’s personal wealth is valued at more than $650 million.
3. Julia RossCompany: Ross Human Directions
Established: 1989
Revenue: $392.9 million
Julia Ross’ recruitment services business was established in 1989 after she hit the glass ceiling in her previous role and resigned. “I hadn’t planned to go out on my own but a number of circumstances, such as the coincident breakdown of my marriage and the shortly-thereafter discovery that I was pregnant, conspired to limit my options. I found there was not a lot of demand for a single, pregnant lady in senior corporate roles in the 1980s! So I went out on my own as I had to earn a living to support myself and my child.”
The company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2000, has expanded rapidly over the last decade and now has operations in countries including New Zealand, Britain, Ireland, Hong Kong and Singapore. Ross remains the managing director and major shareholder of the company, which has a market capitalisation of $32 million. The stock has doubled in price in the last 12 months.
4. Maxine HorneCompany: Vita Group
Established: 1995
Revenue: $297.8 million
Maxine Horne and her husband David McMahon established mobile phone retail chain Fone Zone on the Gold Coast in 1995 and built it into one of Australia’s leading mobile phone resellers. The company listed in November 2005 and changed its name to Vita Group in 2008. In early 2009, the company acquired the Apple computer chain Next Byte. McMahon and Horne are joint chief executives and hold a stake worth about $15 million.
Company: Toga Group
Established: 1963
Revenue: $285 million*
The Toga of Companies was established in 1963 by Charlotte and Ervin Vidor, and has become one of Australia’s largest hospitality groups through its ownership of the Medina, Vibe and Travelodge brands. The company, which also has interests in property development, funds management and aquaculture, now employs 1,800 people and also has interests in Europe. Charlotte and Ervin Vidor are valued at more than $440 million on BRW’s Rich 200 list.
James was the editor and publisher of SmartCompany and LeadingCompany for five years. He is now the Australian Financial Review‘s companies & markets editor, and a former BRW editor.
