Smiggle managing director John Cheston sacked suddenly over ‘serious misconduct’ allegations
The boss of a major Australian retailer has been sacked for “serious misconduct”, just nine months before he was due to leave to take over at another company.
Smiggle CEO John Cheston was dismissed by The Just Group board on Monday. The board said in a statement that they believe Cheston has committed serious misconduct and breached his terms and conditions of employment.
“On that basis, his employment was terminated today,” the statement said.
Mr Cheston was announced a few months ago as the new CEO of jewellery chain Lovisa, with the appointment taking effect in June next year.
Smiggle is an Australian retailer of stationery and student items and is part of The Just Group, which owns the Peter Alexander, Just Jeans, Portmans, Dotti, Jacquie E and Jay Jays stores.
The group is owned by Premier Investments, whose chairman is Australian businessman Solomon Lew.
Smiggle chief executive John Cheston (pictured) was sacked on Monday for ‘serious misconduct’, just months before he became CEO of Lovisa
The Australian retail giant specializes in office supplies and student items
In 2011, Mr Cheston settled a legal dispute in the High Court with retailer Country Road, where he was previously CEO.
The dispute was over the termination of Mr. Cheston’s employment. He was awarded $1.1 million in the settlement.
Lovisa and The Just Group have been approached for comment, Mr Cheston could not be contacted.