WiseTech’s board is changing again as long-term Richard White loyalists depart

The changes bring the board turnover in 2025 to six directors amid a power struggle involving former CEO and founder Richard White, now the executive chair.

Joining the ASX-listed Sydney logistics company as independent non-executive directors (NEDs) are local media boards veteran Sandra Hook and Silicon Valley-based expat Rob Castaneda, founder and CEO of ServiceRocket.

“The board is continuing to interview additional director candidates, with a view to appointing one or more additional independent non-executive directors by December 31, 2025,” the company said in a statement about the changes.

WiseTech Gobal (ASX:WTC) has been on the hunt for NEDs to meet its regulatory compliance obligations since February, following the resignation of former chair Richard Dammery and three other NEDs, amid a fight over White’s future role.

The latest changes follow a tumultuous nine months for the $40 billion software company, which has seen its share price rollercoaster between $67 and $141 in the past year.

Troubles first emerged last October, when allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women emerged against White following a now settled legal battle with a former lover. The billionaire founder subsequently resigned as WiseTech CEO and stepped down from the Tech Council of Australia board.

After a short period of leave, he was meant to return in a $1 million advisory role, but instead, he returned as executive chairman shortly after February’s boardroom bloodletting.  White leads the WiseTech’s product development and growth strategy, as well as owning more than a third of the business, having bought out his cofounder and WiseTech director Maree Isaacs, in December.

Shearwater Capital founder Mike Gregg, rejoined the board in February, having previously served as an independent NED on its from 2006, alongside he Shearwater colleague Gibbon, until 2022. He’s the sixth largest investor in WiseTech and took charge of the board investigation into White’s behaviour.

More stringent code of conduct

In March, a 9-page update on the investigation, said the board flagged to White “that a number of the matters are serious in nature, and that such conduct is not acceptable and must not be repeated”. It said the founder and former CEO  “made inaccurate and incomplete disclosures concerning the nature and duration of his relationship” involving two employees, but has pledged to do better.

The board said will take no action against its chairman and that: “White accepts the findings of the board review and has committed to, and is supportive of, a new and more stringent code of conduct in respect of such matters”.

The full report was not released.

Former WiseTech chair Andrew Harrison, who left the board last year, then returned in March, is replacing Gibbon as chair of the board’s audit and risk committee, effective immediately.

“The Board also extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to Charles for his many meaningful contributions to the growth and success of WiseTech, and for his dedicated service to the Company as a Director since 2006,” the company said.