Daniel Bracken, Michael Hill CEO, unexpectedly dies

Wednesday, 26 February 2025

Jewellery retailer Michael Hill’s chief executive officer and managing director Daniel Bracken died unexpectedly last night , just days after the NZX-listed company posted its half-year financial results.

The company announced Bracken’s death on Wednesday afternoon and said it was due to an adverse reaction for medical treatment for an existing condition.

“It is with great sadness that Michael Hill International announces the unexpected passing overnight of its chief executive officer and managing director Daniel Bracken as a result of an adverse reaction to medical treatment for an underlying medical condition,” the announcement said.

Bracken was the group’s chief executive and managing director since 2018. Before that, he was chief executive and managing director at the now closed Australian retailer Specialty Fashion Group, after serving as the chief merchandise and deputy chief executive at Australian department store Myer.

Michael Hill said in its announcement: “On behalf of the board, we thank Daniel for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the Michael Hill Group and our people over the past 7 years. He will be dearly missed.

“Daniel was a passionate retailer, an innovative and strategic thinker and an inspiring leader, who transformed the Michael Hill Group into the company that it is today.”

The news came days after Michael Hill posted its half-year financial results, including a 9.5% net profit jump for the six months ending December 2024.

The Post reported that Bracken did not front up to investors or media that day, and was informed Bracken was not available for interviews following the result.

In November, Bracken told The Post that Michael Hill was “thrilled” to partner with Australian model Miranda Kerr for its rebranding campaign. “Miranda was someone that we always had on our list, but we weren't sure of her interest in us.”

“It was a good alignment for her, for our business, and with the Antipodean connection, all of those things worked well together for her to be connected to our brand and us connected to her. She's really enjoying the relationship, as are we,” Bracken told The Post.

Michael Hill announced on the NZX that the board would provide more details on leadership arrangements “in due course following this sad news”.

Michael Hill has been approached for comment.