Retail royalty 'overwhelmed' and 'surprised' by inclusion in King's Birthday honours

Retail royalty 'overwhelmed' and 'surprised' by inclusion in King's Birthday honours
Dame Joan Withers and Rod Duke, CNZM. (Image: NZME graphics team)
Gregor Thompson
Two of New Zealand retail's biggest names feature in the 2024 King's Birthday honours list.The Warehouse Group's chair, Joan Withers, is made a dame companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business, governance and women.And the Briscoe Group's managing director and deputy chair, Rod Duke, is made a companion of the order for services to philanthropy and business.Withers told BusinessDesk she was overwhelmed by the honour, and Duke said he was surprised. Dame Joan WithersManchester-born Withers, a company...

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