MEDIA
An Energising Evolution
Rexel Holdings Australia is reinvigorating and revamping its operations and relationships with an eye on sustainability and innovation.
As the Australian arm of one of the world’s largest professional distributors of products and services for the energy world, Rexel Holdings Australia is drawing on its local and global expertise to re-energise its processes and strategies. Guy Picken, Managing Director of Rexel Holdings Australia, sat down with The CEO Magazine to discuss the evolution of this innovative company.
The CEO Magazine: How did you transform Rexel Holdings Australia since becoming MD in 2006?
Guy: Well, it’s a work in progress. The genesis, if you like, was bringing together all the assets in Australia under one-country management to build a stronger front in the face of rising competition. It was a positive move, not just from a commercial perspective but also from a communications point of view as it has facilitated a strong cross-working culture between the different Rexel brands and across different geographical locations. Many of the Rexel brands had not worked together before and probably hadn’t wanted to work together—but there’s nothing that galvanises people more than a common enemy!
From Rugby League star to managing director of an electrical supplies distributor.
Guy Picken talks about his transition into the electrical industry.
Q: You were a Rugby League player for the Cronulla Sharks and the St George Dragons. How did you go from being a footy player to the managing director of a leading distributor of electrical supplies?
A: I am asked this question a lot. I put most of what I have achieved in life down to what I learned playing football. I was lucky enough to have had some terrific mentors during my time in Rugby League, namely Brian Smith and the late Jack Gibson. The lessons I learned were as much about life as football. The biggest take-away from sport is that there are no excuses. You can have the best reason in the world for a bad performance but you will be telling it to the second grade coach. So the marketing people at Nike summed it up … “Just do it”.