Woolworths' Marketing Shake-Up: Interim CMO Steps In As Andrew Hicks Heads to M&S UK

Nearly five months after Andrew Hicks announced his departure as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Woolworths Group, Michael Laxton has been named the interim CMO. This move comes as the supermarket giant begins its search for a permanent replacement.

Michael Laxton, with over two-and-a-half years as the director of group marketing practice at Woolworths, is no stranger to the retail marketing world. His journey with Woolworths began in September 2021 as the director of brand and marketing for Everyday Rewards. Before Woolworths, Laxton honed his skills at Coles as GM of brand, digital and design, and at Fairfax Media as director of marketing and customer growth, eventually rising to CMO.

Andrew Hicks, after a remarkable five-year tenure as CMO at Woolworths, has left the company to take on the role of marketing director for M&S Food in the UK. Hicks' departure marks the end of an era that saw significant growth and transformation under his leadership, including the expansion of Dan Murphy’s, the successful turnaround of Woolworths with the "That’s Why I Pick Woolies" campaign, and the launch of innovative initiatives like Cartology and Free Fruit for Kids.

In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Hicks reflected on his time at Woolworths, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a talented team and to steward some of Australia and New Zealand’s most beloved brands. His move to M&S Food is part of the company’s broader strategy to refresh its leadership team.