After two years running underwear and bra business Pacific Brands and before that brewer Foster's, former chief executive and one-time navy officer John Pollaers will turn his attention to shaping future Australian business leaders.
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Mr Pollaers, who departed PacBrands following a falling out with the board less than 12 months after setting out his strategy to revive the ailing clothing wholesaler, has been appointed as an executive-in-residence and fellow of the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Business and Economics.
The lurch into academia comes after more than two decades of high-flying corporate roles including global president, Asia Pacific, at drinks giant Diageo.
Mr Pollaers also steered iconic brewer Foster's through its 2011 demerger in which the wine business was spun off into the stand-alone Treasury Wine Estates with the brewing arm eventually gobbled up by global beer giant SABMiller for $12 billion.
His most recent stint was at PacBrands, having been appointed as CEO of the struggling workwear, underwear and sleepwear group in August 2012 but only to walk out in July after reportedly disagreeing with his board over selling the workwear division. The division was ultimately sold.
Dean of faculty Professor Paul Kofman said Mr Pollaers' appointment to the university presented a great opportunity for faculty and students to learn from his international business expertise.
"We are delighted to have secured an industry leader of his calibre as an inaugural resident for the executive in residence program in the department of managing and marketing," Professor Kofman said.
"We strive to be thought leaders in our disciplines and John's noted international experience and recognised social conscience deepens our pool of knowledge on the management challenges and opportunities before Australian industry today."
Mr Pollaers will mingle with other senior corporate types at the university, with the faculty's board including businessmen and directors such as Peter Yates, Seek co-founder Paul Bassat, former Victorian Premier John Brumby, former Goldman Sachs Australia boss Terry Campbell, ANZ director and Tabcorp chair Paula Dwyer, former CEO of Western Mining and one-time RBA board director Hugh Morgan, and Myer deputy chairman Rupert Myer.
Mr Pollaers said he had always considered it a responsibility for business leaders to share their experiences in support of others.
"Playing my part in shaping future industry and current thought leaders is a privilege I am looking forward to while at the University of Melbourne," he said.
Mr Pollaers is also the chairman of the Australian Advanced Manufacturing Council, co-chair of the National Breast Cancer Foundation and advisory board member at the Centre for Workplace Leadership.
