Howard McDonald will retire as Myer’s chairman in October while Paul McClintock has announced his appointment as non-executive director and chairman-elect of the company.

Myer chairman Howard McDonald said the timing of his decision follows the extension of the contract of Myer CEO and managing director Bernie Brookes through until August 2014.

“The Board and I share a desire to ensure continuity of leadership over the period to that date and beyond,” McDonald said.

McDonald will retire from the Board of Myer at the conclusion of the October 2012 Board meeting and will be succeeded as chairman by Paul McClintock at that time.

McClintock has considerable experience as a director, having held significant chairman and advisory positions across a broad range of industries, as well as government.

McClintock is Chairman of Medibank Private Limited, COAG Reform Council, Thales Australia, I-Med Network and the Institute of Virology, and a director of Perpetual Limited. He has announced his intention to retire as Chairman of the COAG Reform Council and Director of Perpetual Limited in order to enable him to take up the new appointment.

Myer CEO Bernie Brookes said Howard goes with his very best wishes.

“The entire Board and I are grateful for Howard’s counsel and retail experience over the years and for his commitment to management’s execution of the Myer strategy,” he said.

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with the Board and Paul McClintock to deliver on our strategy for shareholders, and to meet our customer’s expectations of us on service, brands and range.”

In addition, to Paul McClintock’s appointment, Myer also announced the appointment of Ian Morrice as non-executive director, both appointments are effective immediately.

Morrice has over three decades of retail experience, including most recently as group CEO and managing director at The Warehouse Group. His currently non-executive director of Metcash Limited and an adviser to the Board of the Spotlight group of companies.

The Board structure has also been strengthened by the appointment of Rupert Myer as deputy chairman of the Myer Board.

“On behalf of the Myer Board, I welcome both Paul McClintock and Ian Morrice and look forward to them contributing to Myer’s continued strategic progress, and also congratulate Rupert Myer on his appointment,” said Howard McDonald.