Wesfarmers has reshuffled its senior executive team, with Tom O'Leary to replace Tim Bult as managing director of the group's energy division and Mr Bult to take up Mr O'Leary's role as executive manager of group business development.

Mr O'Leary and Mr Bult will take up their new positions on July 13, in a move aimed at broadening the management skill base of the pair and their respective departments.

Wesfarmers chief Richard Goyder said the role changes reflected the "outstanding work" that both men had contributed to their current roles, and the group's desire to provide them with new development opportunities.

Mr O'Leary has headed group business development since 2006, after joining Wesfarmers' business development team in 2000.

He is credited among management for his role in leading a number of major acquisitions and divestments, including the Coles acquisition, as well as recent equity raisings.

Mr Bult joined Wesfarmers in 1999 in commercial and business development roles within Wesfarmers Energy and became General Manager of Wesfarmers Kleenheat Gas in July 2005.

In September 2006, he was appointed managing director of Wesfarmers Energy, whose gas and power businesses supply nearly 300,000 customers with industrial and medical gases, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as power generation to remote locations.

RACHEL DONKIN