FAHOUR: RESIST ‘RISK AVERSION’
NEW Australia Post chief Christine Holgate must resist the “risk aversion” that deters many companies from forging into Asian markets, the outgoing chief executive says.
The postal service instead needs to strike more major deals with e-commerce companies across Asia to reach its full potential, Ahmed Fahour says.
Speaking ahead of his departure today, Ahmed Fahour has also declined to comment on speculation he may be on the verge of joining online retail behemoth Amazon, saying only that he will avoid roles that “will hurt Australia Post”.
After seven-and-a-half years as chief executive of the postal authority, Mr Fahour signs off today.
During his tenure, Australia Post tumbled into the red for the first time in more than 30 years, only to swing back into profitability as his turnaround program – building the service into a major parcels player to offset deep losses in the letters business – bore fruit.
Letter volumes have plunged by about half since he became chief executive in 2010 as consumers abandon paper and ink in favour of emails and social media.