Catch MD, Pete Sauerborn, is to step down as the company is set to move from under Wesfarmers’ Kmart Group to join the data and digital division, Wesfarmers OneDigital, this July. 

Sauerborn will leave the business on June 30 after two years leading the company. Meanwhile, the company will be looking for a new MD, who will report to Nicole Sheffield, head of Wesfarmers OneDigital. The division currently includes the OnePass subscription program and the Advanced Analytics Centre.

MD of Wesfarmers, Rob Scott, said the move will “bring together the group’s pure business”, attracting digital talent while developing logical synergies between the group’s shared data platform, advanced analytics team and subscription capabilities. 

“Each of our divisions is developing significant capabilities in data analytics and digital services to meet the specific needs of their customers,” said Scott. “Wesfarmers OneDigital will complement these divisional capabilities, particularly through the benefits of the shared data platform and OnePass program.”

The Australian e-commerce marketplace was acquired by Wesfarmers in 2019 for $230 million. Despite the online shopping boom during the pandemic, the business recorded earnings before tax loss of $44 million during the six months ended December 31 last year. At the same time, the gross transaction value increased by 1 per cent.

The company said more detail on Wesfarmers OneDigital will be disclosed at the Strategy Briefing Day this June. OneDigital has declined further comment until then.