New Characters in the Next Chapter of Growth for Retailer RedBalloon

21 February 2013 (Sydney): RedBalloon Pty Ltd has welcomed Richard England (Chairman) and Atlassian Founder Scott Farquhar (Non-Executive Director) to the board ranks, signalling a new chapter for the Australian owned and operated experience retailer.

Now in its twelfth year, redballoon.com.au has delivered more than 1.7 million experiences to customers and is still seeing extremely high levels of growth for a business of its vintage. The business hit 40 per cent growth in total transaction value in the 2012 financial year, demonstrating there is still very strong growth in Australian online retail. 

Christmas 2012 saw this online retailer experience a transaction every 3.3 seconds. 

The establishment of an experienced board with external perspective is set to drive the business further on this growth trajectory, as RedBalloon aims to cement itself as the top online destination for gifts. 

RedBalloon CEO Kristie Buchanan said both appointments were part of the latest evolution for the maturing business, which has seen continued strong growth despite the pressures and changes facing the retail industry.

“We are thrilled to welcome Richard and Scott, and we are confident they will bring an added level of constructive and external rigor to our operation,” Ms Buchanan said.

“Richard is a seasoned Chairman with a strong accounting background, and we expect him to lead robust discussions around how we maintain and drive our retail leader status.

“And as the co-founder of one of Australia’s most innovative and successful export technology companies, we believe Scott will help challenge us as we navigate the ever-changing world of online retail.”

Joining Founding Director Naomi Simson and Director Peter Simson, this will be the first time RedBalloon welcomes external, non-shareholder parties to the board, as they take the business to the next level. 

On his appointment, Mr England said: “I am delighted to join the team at RedBalloon. The organisation is at such an exciting juncture in its journey; sitting on the threshold between SME and becoming a seriously big player in the Australian retail industry. 

Mr Farquhar echoed these sentiments adding, "As a long-time customer I was drawn to RedBalloon because of its incredible attention to customer experience, and employee engagement. I'm looking forward to bringing my experience growing Atlassian to another fast-growth Australian success story".

Richard England is currently Chairman of Chandler Macleod Group Limited and Ruralco Holdings Limited and a Non-Executive Director of Allianz Australia Limited, Nanosonics Limited and Macquarie Atlas Roads Limited. Scott Farquhar is Founder of software development firm Atlassian. 

Lauren Ashton, RedBalloon PR & Communications Specialist – 02 8755 0034/0404 136 765/lauren@redballoon.com.au 

RedBalloon has started a happiness revolution - one amazing experience at a time! We believe everyone deserves to have fun, feel good and be happy. We believe happiness starts with a drop, becomes a ripple and creates a wave. And we believe happiness is amplified when shared. Put simply, we are in the business of fun and are passionate about giving people more good times. RedBalloon Experience Vouchers, Gift Certificates and Gift Boxes can be purchased online or in selected retail outlets.