By Anhar Khanbhai

David Jones has lost its second senior executive as the department store retailer announced Stephen Goddard, its CFO, would step down for personal reasons, retiring on October 31 this year.

Brad Soller, who joins the company from Lend Lease, will replace him.

Goddard’s resignation follows David Jones’ Friday announcement of the departure of Karen McLachlan the company’s group executive of IT whose role would be incorporated into Antony Karp’s current position.

On the same day, David Jones also announced that its long-standing director of 13 years Reg Clairs was to retire.

In a statement on Monday, chairman Robert Savage said Goddard was originally planning to retire last year, but had agreed to stay on after the departure of former CEO Mark McInnes, embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal.

“In early 2010 Stephen raised with me his intention to give notice of his resignation later that year, however following the mutual termination and sudden departure of Mark McInnes as CEO in June 2010, Stephen agreed to extend his stay with the company to assist in the transition of Paul Zahra as the new CEO,” Savage said.

“We are very grateful to Stephen for postponing his retirement and thank him for his 15 years of service with the company, during which time he has been instrumental in the company’s financial turnaround and the development of its future direction, as well as the successful transition of Paul Zahra into the role of CEO.”

Soller will commence his new role as CFO on April 2.