"What made it rewarding is working in a lot of businesses with such good people," Tilbrook said of his time at Wesfarmers.

Wesfarmers Ltd today announced that the company’s finance director Gene Tilbrook will retire in the first half of 2009. Tilbrook held the position of finance director since 2005, working in the company for a total of 23 years. 

Current finance director of the Coles division, Terry Bowan will take his place. 

Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder said Tilbrook has made a “tremendous contribution” to the company on both a commercial and strategic level. 

“Gene’s contribution, both as finance director and as head of Wesfarmers’ business development, played a major role in a period of significant growth for the company,” Goyder said. 

Bowan’s replacement at Coles is yet to be announced.