Gary Carroll to step down as G8 Education CEO in December 2022

Gary Carroll, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of G8 Education, has agreed with the Board of Directors to a transition plan that will see him leave the Group on 31 December 2022. 

 

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Gary for his outstanding commitment and contribution to G8 over the last six years. Gary has overseen a period of significant change for the Group through a very challenging operating environment, including most recently during COVID-19.” David Foster, Chairman of the Board said. 

 

“During this time, Gary has been an excellent leader and champion of our purpose, creating the foundations for learning for life. He has executed and delivered solid results with the Group’s strategic transformation program while ensuring G8 has the right structures and team in place to drive quality outcomes for our children, families, and team members.”

 

Mr Carroll joined G8 initially as Chief Financial Officer in July 2016 before taking the role of Managing Director and CEO in January 2017. 

 

During his tenure Mr Carroll oversaw, amongst a range of other initiatives, the repositioning of G8 towards a sustainable organic growth path away from the acquisition led strategy that he inherited and the Group’s “pivot to quality” which saw substantial resources dedicated to driving a step change in the delivery of quality early learning and subsequent improvements in the ACECQA ratings achieved across its network of 450 centres.

 

“It has been a privilege to lead the G8 team and I am very proud of what we have achieved over that time,” Mr Carroll said. 

 

“Having navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and with the Group’s Improvement Program progressing as planned and producing results in line with expectations, it is the right time for me to step down and for someone else to guide the company through its next chapter.” 

 

Mr Carroll will be replaced by Pejman Okhovat, a seasoned corporate leader with experience in retail, operations, customer experience and strategy. 

 

Mr Okhovat is currently the Managing Director of BIG W. Prior to that he was the Chief Executive Officer of New Zealand Stock Exchange listed retailer The Warehouse Group’s value retailing businesses – The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery and between 2005 and 2020, Mr Okhovat held various other leadership positions within The Warehouse Group.

 

As well as working in New Zealand Mr Okhovat spent 10 years in the United Kingdom in senior and executive roles at leading retailers, including Marks and Spencer, ASDA Walmart, Sainsburys and Iceland. 

 

“It is an honour to be appointed Managing Director and CEO of G8 Education,” Mr Okhovat said. 

 

“I am attracted to G8 and the early education and care sector because of the opportunity it provides to make a long-term difference. It will be a privilege to lead the G8 team and be part of delivering such an important service to the communities that G8 serves. I am committed to being agile and responsive, and continuing to deliver quality outcomes for all G8 stakeholders, including our children, families and team members.”

 

Mr Okhovat will commence his new role on 3 January 2022. 

 

To read the G8 announcement of Mr Carroll’s transition and Mr Okhovat’s appointment, including his financial remuneration, incentives and sign on entitlements, please follow the link to the media release.