Former Endeavour Group CEO Steve Donohue has revealed he ended his 30-year career with Endeavour Group the way he began – stacking shelves at the Alphington Dan Murphy’s store.

Donohue shared details of his final day at his farewell, which was held at The Ranch in Sydney’s North Ryde. Attendees included CUB CEO Danny Celoni and Lion Australia Managing Director James Brindley.

“I spent the day looking over at the manager and hoping that he thought I was doing a good job,” Donohue told guests about his shift.

Donohue started his career as a summer casual in the Dan Murphy’s store in Alphington in 1994. Back then, the chain only had two shops in Melbourne and was still run by founder Daniel Murphy.

Donohue rose rapidly through the ranks to become assistant store manager at 19, then ran Woolworths’ New Zealand supermarket business until former Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci asked him to return to Australia and run Endeavour in 2018.

Endeavour Group announced in September 2024 that Donohue was stepping down as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

The company said that after 30 years with the business including more than six years as CEO and following the successful
demerger of Endeavour from Woolworths Group in 2021, Donohue and the Board had determined the time was right for a new leader to take the Group into its next phase of growth.

Chairman Ari Mervis said: “Steve is a rare CEO who rose from the shop floor to the top job, and he will leave behind a significant legacy with Endeavour Group.

“His passion and drive is known throughout the company as well as the broader industry.

“Steve has a track record of success through a range of roles, and I wish to pay special tribute to his leadership of the organisation and his passionate commitment to making Endeavour a success.”

Donohue said: “Six years after we created Endeavour Group and with the strategy and culture well established as an independent company, now is the right time for me to pass the baton on to the next leader.

“It has been an immense privilege to lead this company and to have been a part of this business for three decades.

“I take great pride in the achievements of the company during my time as CEO and thank everyone at Woolworths and Endeavour who has supported me over many years. Together, we have created the leading company for social occasions, with unrivalled brands and hospitality venues.”

Endeavour Group’s search for a new CEO continues, with Ari Mervis appointed as Executive Chairman in March 2025. The company said Mervis would be in the role for a period of up to 12 months to ensure stable leadership while the appointment of the new CEO is finalised.