WiseTech Board Quits as Founder White Triumphs in Power Struggle

In a dramatic turn of events, four members of WiseTech Global's six-person board have resigned, effective Wednesday, February 26, 2025, following the company's half-year earnings report. The resignations, which include chairman Richard Dammery, Lisa Brock, Fiona Pak-Poy, and Michael Malone, were driven by "intractable differences" in views around the ongoing role of Richard White, the company's founder and former CEO. This development marks a significant shift in the power dynamics within the company and highlights the ongoing struggle between White and other board members.



The resignations come on the heels of WiseTech suspending trading of its stock last Thursday, February 20, 2025. The company's share price has since fallen by more than 20% in the past week, reflecting the uncertainty and turmoil surrounding White's leadership and the company's future. The board's decision to resign, citing intractable differences in views regarding White's role, underscores the deep-seated divisions within the company and the challenges it faces in navigating this crisis.



Richard White's leadership style and past controversies have contributed to the current situation at WiseTech Global. His aggressive and sometimes bullying approach to management has created a tense work environment, as acknowledged in the initial findings of a board-initiated governance review. Additionally, White's past controversies, including allegations of inappropriate behavior and lawsuits, have eroded trust in his leadership and damaged the company's reputation.

The resignations of the four board members leave only two members remaining: Charles Gibbon, who previously chaired the board for 12 years, and WiseTech co-founder Maree Isaacs. Mike Gregg, an early investor in WiseTech who previously sat on the board for 17 years until 2022, will take one of the vacated independent director seats. The new three-person board will appoint new directors "in due course," according to the company's ASX release.

The resignations and the ongoing power struggle between Richard White and other board members raise several questions about the company's future. How will the new board address the challenges facing WiseTech Global, and will they be able to rebuild trust with employees, customers, and investors? Will the company be able to stabilize its stock price and return to a path of growth and success? Only time will tell, but the resignations of the four board members mark a significant turning point in the company's history and a potential opportunity for a fresh start under new leadership.