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Christine Holgate to rival Australia Post as new CEO of Global Express

Global Express is a parcel delivery company that rivals Holgateโ€™s former employer and employs more than 8000 workers across Australia and New Zealand.
Women's Agenda
Women's Agenda
Christine Holgate supply chain
Former Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate. Source: AAP Image/ Mick Tsikas.

Christine Holgate, the former chief executive of Australia Post has just been named as the new Group CEO of Global Express, a parcel delivery company that rivals her former employer and employs more than 8000 workers across Australia and New Zealand.

The news comes within days of Holgate ending her non-compete clause with Australia Post, and weeks after she appeared before a Senate hearing in which she described how she was โ€œbulliedโ€ and โ€œhumiliatedโ€ out of her job, and when she also described how she was โ€œthrown under the busโ€ by the chair of Australia Post.

She said at the time she wanted to see those responsible for her dismissal to be โ€œheld to accountโ€ and that she was expecting an apology from the Prime Minister, who effectively fired her from the role on the floor of Parliament.

Her leadership talent and experience managing a major delivery and logistics organisation will now go elsewhere, with Holgate saying she is โ€œhonoured to be joining the Global Express teamโ€ and that she strongly believes in the โ€œpotentialโ€ of the business.

Global Express was recently acquired by Allegro Funds from Toll group. The Australian Financial Review reports that it recorded $3.2 billion in revenue during the 2020 financial year.

Holgate also shared more on the news on Nineโ€™s Today this morning.

โ€œIt was a big decision, but itโ€™s not a hard decision. Itโ€™s doing something I love, which is growing a business,โ€ she said.

Asked if she thought Australia Post would be a โ€œbit worriedโ€ about her taking her role, Holgate said: โ€œHopefully they will give me a bit more of their business and help us make it a bit stronger.โ€

But she remained positive about Australia Post, noting the hundred thousand families involved. She said what happened to her came down to a few individuals.

And she also referenced the more than โ€œ100,000 messages and lettersโ€ sheโ€™s received since she opened up about her experience โ€” saying that prior to doing so she had been silent โ€œand sometimes when you are silent you can feel alone.โ€

Holgate confirmed that Australia Post has agreed to mediation and that she has promised to stay confidential on the process, but sheโ€™s hopeful that it can help wounds โ€œhealโ€.

As for her long awaited apology from the PM? It hasnโ€™t yet come.

โ€œI havenโ€™t heard from the prime minister yet. He can find my number on the internet and I will take his call any day,โ€ she told Today.

This article was first published on Womenโ€™s Agenda.