Inside the high-powered 'secret romance' that has rocked a $4billion a year ... trends now
The owner of Rebel sport stores knew about an alleged secret relationship between its CEO and HR boss months before it was acknowledged, lawyers have claimed.
Rebel is part of shopping giant Super Retail Group, which also includes Supercheap Auto, adventure apparel brand Macpac and outdoor specialist BCF.
Two senior female executives are now preparing to launch a potential $50million lawsuit against the conglomerate over allegations of bullying and poor management.
Their lawyers claim to have explosive evidence of an undisclosed union between chief executive Anthony Heraghty and head of human resources Jane Kelly.
Super Retail Group has denied Mr Heraghty was in a clandestine relationship with Ms Kelly, who left the business in November 2023 after more than seven years.
Daily Mail Australia understands Mr Heraghty and Ms Kelly are separated from their respective spouses and both have children from those marriages.
The alleged liaison became public knowledge when Super Retail Group made a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on April 26.
Shopping giant Super Retail Group knew about an alleged secret relationship between its CEO Anthony Heraghty (above) and HR boss Jane Kelly months before it was acknowledged, according to lawyers acting in a potential $50million lawsuit
The company disclosed the two female executives - neither of whom is Ms Kelly - were set to launch their court action with a loss and damages claim for $30million to $50million.
Brisbane-based Super Retail Group has annual sales of $3.8billion and Mr Heraghty received a total remuneration package of $4.15million last year.
Harmers Workplace Lawyers revealed on Monday it was now representing four clients who had made allegations of poor governance at Super Retail Group.
According to Super Retail Group, those claims include bullying, victimisation, adverse treatment, having unreasonable workloads and insufficient resources and inappropriate company travel practices.
Super Retail Group said its board had engaged independent external advisers to investigate the claims - including the alleged covert romance - and found none to be true.
The company would defend any court proceedings in relation to the allegations and would update the ASX on any developments.
'As these matters are expected to be the subject of litigation, the group does not intend to make any further comment at this time,' it said.
Harmers said it had been approached by more current and former employees who had similar concerns about Super Retail Group after its announcement to the ASX.
Super Retail Group has denied CEO Andrew Heraghty was in a clandestine relationship with HR boss Jane Kelly
