Private equity background

Ms Scown moved back to New Zealand from Sydney to join Mitre 10 in 2017 as general manager of retail operations before later moving into the role of chief customer experience officer and then chief operating officer.

She previously worked in acting chief executive roles, including at EziBuy, which she describes as ‘‘a bit like being the bridesmaid and never the bride’’, and has a varied background working in both fashion and apparel retailing and private equity.

Ms Scown previously worked for ASXlisted Speciality Fashion Group, running the Millers brand and prior to that worked with EziBuy, and before that lingerie brand Bendon.

Prior to that she spent 12 years working in private equity. She was employed by Westbury Land Holdings and took care of a portfolio that included converting a dairy farm in

Karaka to Westbury Stud, the build of a 50box racing stable at the Counties Racecourse and the application for resource consent to operate Te Hihi Estate, a rural retreat and conference centre in Karaka.

Ms Scown has a rule she lives by as chief executive of Mitre 10: no meetings before 8.30am, and is not one of those chief executives who start the working day at 5am.

‘‘I’m more burn the candle at the other end of the day,’’ she says.

‘‘Fortunately my youngest is 24 so I don’t have any children living at home now, but I have got seven children so I’m wellversed in being wellorganised. For me it’s about an 8.30 start in the office and I like to be out of here by 6pm.’’

She does not believe in 13 to 14hour work days, she says.

‘‘There’s always times when you have to put in the hours but I think as a routine it’s about sending that good cultural message.’’ — The New Zealand Herald