Richard White resigns as WiseTech chair but will remain with firm

Billionaire businessman Richard White is stepping down a chair of WiseTech Global but will remain on the board and with the company.

Mr White, who co-founded the logistics software firm, cited recent media attention as his reason for stepping down, calling it an "unnecessary distraction from the strength of WiseTech's business".

In June, Mr White denied any involvement in human trafficking or knowledge of an Australian Federal Police investigation, after Nine newspapers reported he was facing a probe by the AFP's human exploitation taskforce.

"I strenuously and unequivocally deny the recent allegations in the media," Mr White reiterated in an ASX statement announcing the board changes.

"Further, I am conscious that personal attacks on me in the media that are unconnected to the performance of the company nevertheless have the potential to encourage short selling activity."

Mr White is the biggest shareholder in WiseTech, owning around a third of shares.

On Tuesday morning, WiseTech shares rallied on the development, up 9.4 per cent at 10:50am AEST.

However, the stock remains about 66 per cent lower than 12 months ago, as a series of personal scandals to their toll on the share price.

The latest controversy follows a tumultuous period for the firm since Mr White's personal affairs hit the front pages of the financial press in late 2024.

WiseTech faced an exodus of board directors in early 2025, amid a dispute about Mr White's ongoing role.

The board undertook a review into Mr White's conduct, which found he had misled the board about the nature of several relationships.

"As always, the board and its advisors will continue to monitor and consider any developments on matters reported in the media," it said on Tuesday.

Independent chair appointed, praises White

WiseTech has appointed Raelene Murphy as independent chair. She joined the board on January 1 and had previously been named lead independent director at the start of May.

"My personal experience working with Richard is totally at odds with media reports," Ms Murphy said in the ASX statement.

"I have found him to be an incredibly hardworking, focused and committed founder who has built a leading global technology business with enormous potential to continue to grow stronger and thrive."

In February, WiseTech announced plans for sweeping job cuts, planning to slash about 29 per cent of its workforce globally, or 2,000 roles, over the next 18 months.

Chief executive Zubin Appoo, who was appointed in July 2025, at the time described it as a "deliberate AI transformation journey".

"I am prepared to say this clearly: the era of manually writing code as a core act of engineering is over."

On Tuesday, WiseTech said the board was continuing its search for an additional independent director, as well as "long-term executive succession planning".