A Market Disruptor

For the past two decades, BGS Old Boy Brett Clark ’85 has been at the cutting edge of the pharmaceutical industry in Australia.

In 2000, he established ePharmacy.com.au, Australia’s first online pharmaceutical retailer, before negotiating a merger with Chemist Warehouse in 2004.

The company is now the largest privately owned pharmacy group in the country with more than $6 billion in sales and more than 500 stores employing approximately 17,000 staff.

Clark, who is the Managing Director of ePharmacy and Managing Partner of Chemist Warehouse stores in Queensland and Northern NSW, says he took advantage of the internet to build the business.

“When we launched ePharmacy, no one was on the internet. We were the first functioning eCommerce pharmacy in Australia,” he said.

“When the internet came along, I saw it as an opportunity. I could set my price and have rural and city access – it provided greater accessibility.”

Growing up in the bush with parents who worked for the local bank and post office, Clark said his time in the country provided him with a good grounding and taught him to embrace sport and community.

At Brisbane Grammar School, he learned the value of hard work and made lifelong friends who continue to play significant roles in his personal and professional life.

“My time at BGS empowered me to see the world with a different lens,” he said. “It made me dare to dream and gave me self belief.”

Clark continued his education at The University of Queensland, graduating with a Bachelor of Pharmacy in 1988.

By the age of 23, Clark had met his wife, Maria. They went on to have three children, all of whom were born prematurely at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane.

One child, Olivia, sadly passed at just six days old. In her memory, the Clarks founded ‘Olivia’s Lunch’, an annual fundraising event for the Mater Little Miracles program.

Brett and Maria are now ambassadors for the Mater Foundation. So far, they have raised more than $1.5 million for the cause, which has expanded to include Catherine’s House – a mother and baby perinatal mental health facility.

Clark has also served on the board of the Queensland Ballet, including six years as chair. His innovative approach steered the company through a period of business transformation and strategic change.

At the end of 2019, Clark was appointed to the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) board, with his lifelong connection to rugby having been nurtured at BGS. In March 2022, he was appointed QRU Chairman. During his tenure at QRU, he has established the QRU Foundation, which serves as the philanthropic branch of the business to support rugby in Queensland.

Most recently, Clark was appointed to the board of the Organising Committee for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Looking ahead, Clark said he had ambitions to one day start his own foundation.

“I’m enjoying this stage of my life,” he said. “Our children are grown up now and doing very well with their lives. My wife and I are looking forward to continuing to contribute to our chosen fields and to build a lasting legacy for the future.”