Xavier Simonet
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Joined Collins Foods: November 2024
Xavier is a highly experienced global Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, with a proven track record of formulating and implementing strategic plans across multi-site retail operations. He has successfully grown sales and profitability across multiple geographies and brings diversity of experience across a range of sectors and companies. Xavier has a global mindset and a track record of delivering operational performance, leading business transformation and executing M&A.
Prior to joining Collins Foods, Xavier was the Chief Executive Officer of Austrade – the Australian Government agency responsible for the promotion of international trade and investment – where he successfully partnered with government and businesses to grow Australian business globally. Previously he was Group CEO & Managing Director of ASX-listed Kathmandu Holdings for six years, where he managed growth and diversification of the Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz brands. Prior to that he was CEO of Radley London and spent four years at Seafolly Group where he was International Director. Earlier in his career Xavier held various management roles over 11 years with Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) in Europe, Asia and Australia.
Xavier speaks English and French and has studied German. He has a Master’s degree in Law, Economics and Public Administration from Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, a Master’s in International Management with HEC from the Paris and the Vienna School of Economics and Business Administration, a Master’s Diploma in Business Administration and Management from the HEC School of Management in Paris and a Harvard Business School Executive Management qualification in Strategic Marketing Management.
Andrew Leyden
Group Chief Financial Officer
Joined Collins Foods: October 2023
Andrew is a highly experienced leader in financial and commercial roles. He has deep experience leading organisations and finance functions across multiple geographies, and has a strong track record of developing strategy, including building businesses in adjacent and new categories to drive profitable sales growth. Given his experience and track record, Andrew will play a key role in driving growth opportunities for Collins Foods.
Andrew is an experienced ASX-listed CFO and has also held senior roles in consumer goods companies including Essity, Foster’s Group and Reckitt.
Joanne Matthews
Group Chief People and Culture Officer
Joined Collins Foods: June 2024
Jo brings extensive capability in transformation, change leadership, talent management and acquisitions. This experience, gained over 20 plus years in global senior human resource leadership roles, including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, will help deliver Collins Foods’ core talent, cultural, strategic and performance priorities.
Before joining Collins Foods, Jo was the Chief People Officer for Michael Hill International, and prior to that had roles as the Executive General Manager, Human Resources with MAX Solutions Pty Ltd, and as Divisional Human Resources Manager (Leisure) for Super Retail Group. Jo’s earlier career was in HR and operational roles with Woolworths Supermarkets. Jo holds an MBA and Bachelor of Business in Human Resources and Marketing.
Tony Van Der Ark
Chief Development Officer
Joined Collins Foods: 2019
Tony has over 25 years’ experience in the property and construction industry with major Australian publicly listed companies. Commencing his construction career with Lend Lease Corporation and Jennings Construction, Tony completed major projects in both Sydney and Brisbane, including the Broadway on the Mall shopping centre in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD.
Tony joined Brierley Investments as General Manager of Property managing brands including Chandlers and Action Liquor where he was responsible for the substantial growth and successful turnaround of these two companies. Tony has also held the senior property roles for Bank of Queensland, Woolworth’s ALH Group and Michael Hill International, delivering substantial network grow and successfully managing all aspects of the property function including site selection, acquisition, leasing and design & construction.
Tony is a an experienced and commercially astute property executive with a solid track record of efficiently growing brand networks and contributing to EBIT growth.
Tracey Wood
Group Chief Legal & Risk Officer, and Company Secretary
Joined Collins Foods: September 2024
Tracey has 16 years’ experience in General Counsel and Company Secretary roles, where she has spent the last six years at ASX Listed G8 Education Ltd as the Chief Legal, Quality & Risk Officer (and Company Secretary), and prior to that, 10 years at ASX Listed Billabong International Ltd as their International General Counsel & Company Secretary.
Tracey holds a Master of Laws and completed a double degree for Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Arts (BA – Psychology). Tracey specialises in mergers and acquisitions, corporate advice and transactions, governance and contract negotiation – all skills and experience completely aligned to the long term needs and strategy of Collins Foods.
Krystal Zugno
General Manager, Australian Operations
Joined Collins Foods: 2001
Krystal (former General Manager of Taco Bell and previously Interim General Manager for the KFC Australia Division at Collins Foods), has been promoted to General Manager of Australian Operations, where she will lead operations for both KFC and Taco Bell.
With 24 years at Collins Foods, Krystal is a highly respected leader known for her deep operational expertise, strong people leadership, and consistent track record of driving performance and cultural excellence across teams. Her strategic insights have also informed key decisions that have supported growth at Collins Foods.
Krystal’s leadership of the KFC Australia division was essential during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her focus on performance contributed significantly to Collins Foods achieving record FY20 financial results, with sales surpassing $1 billion. In addition to her operational successes, her leadership in fostering cultural excellence has played a pivotal role in uniting teams.