re Group appoints new customer experience director Retail landlord Scentre Group has appointed Lillian Touma as its new director of customer experience. According to Scentre, Touma’s new position also requires driving positive customer advocacy to support its brand and retail partners. “Lillian is exceptionally well-placed to lead our Westfield Living Centres to deliver extraordinary customer experiences every day,” the company stated. Touma has worked in the retail property industry for more than 22 years, performing leadership roles in workplace health and safety, procurement, facilities, customer experience and development and strategic asset management. Beaumont Tiles executive chairman farewells family business Australian hardware giant Bunnings has entered into an agreement to acquire Beaumont Tiles, ending the Beaumont family’s six-decade ownership of the Australian hard surfaces chain. The acquisition, which is subject to conditions and regulatory approval, allows Beaumont Tiles executive chairman Bob Beaumont to step away from the business. “After 53 years dedicated to a business that my dad started in South Australia, it’s time to retire,” Beaumont said. “I knew that it would never be an easy thing to do, and it’s been a tough decision, but the board and I recognised the need for us to make way for a younger team.” “What made the decision easier was knowing the brand and business we worked so hard to build from scratch would be placed in the best possible position for ongoing success and growth and I’m really thrilled at the outcome for Beaumont’s.” Beaumont Tiles’ current management team, with CEO Danny Casey at the helm, will remain in place and its national support office will continue to be based in Adelaide. The Beaumont Tiles business will remain distinct and separate from Bunnings, according to the hardware chain’s managing director Mike Schneider.