Redbubble parent Articore Group shareholders call for board spill

Darshana Gupta

24th Jun 2025

Articore Group shareholders have called for the removal of board members following a change in CEO and chair of its board earlier this month, and the departure of directors Anne Ward and Ben Heap.

Articore’s majority shareholders Martin Hosking and Richard Cawsey have requested fellow shareholders vote for a substantial change in the group’s board. Hosking stepped down as CEO, succeeded by Vivek Kumar. 

US-based director Robin Mendelson was concurrently appointed chair of the board, with the company saying it would continue its search for an Australian-based non-executive director.

Yesterday, Hosking and Cawsey requested their fellow shareholders to vote for the removal of four current directors and the appointment of four non-executive directors. 

Shareholders have been asked to vote on the removal of directors Robin Mendelson, Robin Low, Robert Sherwin and John Lewis. 

They have also been requested to vote on the appointment of Richard Cawsey, Andrew Nash, Carole Campbell and Christine Christian as non-executive directors. 

Together, Hosking and Cawsey hold approximately 16 per cent of Articore Group’s shares both directly and indirectly through associated companies, including Jellicom, Three Springs Foundation, Cawsey superannuation fund and Denali Ventures. 

Both shareholders hold at least 5 per cent of the votes that could be cast at a general meeting of the group.

In a letter to the other shareholders, Hosking and Cawsey cited an insufficient board refresh, a lack of substantive strategic response or plan, and a disorderly CEO transition as the reasons for the change. 

“While we strongly support Vivek Kumar’s appointment, the abrupt removal of Martin Hosking, without any standard transition period, and whilst the CFO and CTO roles remain vacant, leaves the business operationally fragile at a critical time,” said the statement to shareholders.

Earlier this month, the company – which owns and operates online marketplaces Redbubble and TeePublic – announced that it would refocus on the US market, which generates the majority of its revenue. 

“The announced strategic review lacks clear scope, timeline, or accountability, risking further delay while performance continues to deteriorate,” said Hosking and Cawsey in their letter to shareholders.