WiseTech Co-Founder Richard White Steps Down as Chair, But Keeps Board Seat
A new independent chair arrives to reassure the market, while the founder stays firmly in the room.
July 7, 2026 – 10:40 am
Billionaire Richard White, co-founder of WiseTech Global, has stepped down as executive chair of the Australian logistics software company, effective immediately. This follows a fortnight of intensifying scrutiny, but he is not leaving the company entirely.
White will remain on the ASX-listed group’s board as an executive director and keep his role as chief innovation officer, according to a statement from WiseTech to the exchange. Raelene Murphy, who joined the board in January and became lead independent director in May, takes over as independent chair.
The timing is notable. In late June, media reports revealed that the Australian Federal Police were investigating White over allegations of exploiting a woman’s immigration status for sex and providing false information on a visa application. He has denied any suggestion of trafficking “strenuously and unequivocally,” and no claims have been tested in court.
“Recent personal media attention is creating an unnecessary distraction from the strength of WiseTech’s business,” White stated, arguing that senior management should focus on executing the company’s growth strategy. A familiar sentiment for a founder known for his return to companies after stepping down.
He founded WiseTech in 1994 and listed it on the ASX in 2016, growing it into one of Australia’s most valuable technology companies while retaining his position as its largest shareholder. His control over the business has long complicated efforts to diminish his influence.
White stepped down as CEO in late 2024 due to separate sexual misconduct allegations, which he also denied, then returned as executive chairman in February 2026. Four independent directors resigned during this period, citing “intractable differences” over his continued role.
WiseTech’s board commissioned two law firms to review the earlier claims, with preliminary findings clearing White of serious wrongdoing on several matters. The company’s market value, valued in the tens of billions of Australian dollars, has fluctuated significantly with each new development.
Investors welcomed the latest reshuffle as a governance win. WiseTech shares rose as much as 10.6% after the announcement, contrasting sharp drops in June upon the initial report of the police investigation.
Analysts and investors had been pushing for WiseTech to improve its governance, and this appointment of an independent chair addresses long-standing concerns from proxy advisers and index funds. Despite robust revenue growth, the narrative surrounding the company has focused predominantly on White.