Holland & Barrett CEO resigns
Peter Aldis has stepped down from his role as Holland & Barrett head, triggering a major shake-up among the health retailer’s hierarchy.
Aldis has worked at the UK’s leading health food retailer for 29 years, 10 as CEO. His departure sees Steve Carson appointed to Group Managing Director. He will become the senior operating leader of Holland & Barrett, while John Walden will take on expanded remit as Executive Chairman.
Aldis said: “I am immensely proud of Holland & Barrett and of what we have achieved these past 10 years, most importantly helping our customers live a happier and healthier life. I am also pleased to be leaving the business in a strong position for the future and in the very capable hands of John Walden and Steve Carson who will take it on to the next level.”
Walden thanked Aldis for his “strong leadership” over three decades, saying he had made “significant impact” in shaping Holland & Barrett and the wider health and wellness sector.
First ever female CEO at Central England CO-OP
Debbie Robinson has officially taken the reigns at Central England Co-operative. Appointed CEO late last year, Ms Robinson succeeds Martyn Cheatle, who had overseen the business since 2010. Under his leadership the number of food stores grew from 168 to 266 while the funeral division expanded from 81 to 131 branches.
Ms Robinson joined from SPAR UK, where she was UK managing director. Prior to this, she worked at the Co-op Group, Marks & Spencer and WHSmith.
As the first female CEO, she will be responsible for developing the strategic and commercial direction of the society, which boasts 8,000 staff and over 400 trading outlets across 16 counties.
“I am excited to be joining a progressive, forward-looking business. I look forward to building on the fantastic work Martyn has done and working with the team to ensure Central England Co-op fulfils its ambitions and potential, making a real difference for our customers, members and communities.”
Scicluna starts at Sainsbury’s
Martin Scicluna has taken up his new role as Sainsbury’s chairman – though all eyes are on Britain’s competition regulator which will publish its final ruling on the £12 billion takeover proposal of rival Asda, on April 30. David Tyler stepped down in March and said he had “greatly enjoyed” his nine years as Chairman. “The retail industry has undergone immense change during this period and we have transformed our business so that it can continue to succeed in the medium and long term. I remain fully involved in and committed to the business and look forward to welcoming Martin to the Board.” Scicluna is RSA Insurance chairman and was formerly Chairman of Deloitte LLP – and a Partner for 26 years, serving clients including Dixons, WHSmith, Alliance Unichem and Cadbury’s. “I’m delighted to join Sainsbury’s, a company I have long admired for its clear customer focus and its strong values,” he said. The Competition and Markets Authority previously warned that the proposed mega-merger with Asda would trigger a “poorer shopping experience” for consumers. Investors are predicting further movement among Sainsbury’s hierarchy, should the deal fail.
New rebrand, new chairman for Carrs Foods
Manchester based bakery St Pierre Groupe has appointed David Milner as non-executive chairman.
The announcement came as the company secured a £6.7 million investment to boost product development and overseas growth. Milner, the former CEO of upmarket crisp brand Tyrrells, said: “We have a quality product in a market desperate for supply. The company’s growth in the past decade has been genuinely exciting, and the international expansion and new product development gives us huge scope to go to the next level.”
St Pierre Groupe supplies brands including Baker Street, St Pierre, and Paul Hollywood’s bread range. It was established in 1986, recently rebranded from Carrs Foods and reported turnover of £69 million last year. That figure is forecast to more than double in the next three years, boosted by its brands being stocked in 20,000 stores worldwide; 60 percent of its distribution is in the US.
Jeremy Gilboy, founder of St Pierre Groupe, said: “Both the new investment and the appointment of a chairman of David’s stature gives us great opportunity to meet our targets and continue growing at a significant pace.”
He added: “We’ve worked hard to be where we are today, having grown from being a British family-run company into a fast-growing global bakery business.”
Tetra Pak announces new president
Tetra Pak has announced the appointment of Charles Brand to the position of President of its Europe & Central Asia (E&CA) Region.
Brand joined Tetra Pak in 1985 as an Electronics Development Engineer and has since held several key senior roles in the company, including Vice President of R&D for Tetra Rex®, Managing Director of one of Tetra Pak’s key business units and Managing Director Tetra Pak Taiwan before taking on his last position as Executive Vice President, Product Management & Commercial Operations.
“I am delighted to lead our activities in the E&CA region,” he said, adding: “This role is a great opportunity for me to continue Tetra Pak’s leadership position in the industry and in supporting the evolving needs of our customers…with focus on our common sustainability and digitalisation agendas.”
Tetra Pak is the world’s leading food processing and packaging solutions company and employs 24,000 employees around the world.
Brand holds an MSc in Electrical Engineering degree from the Technical University of Lund in Sweden and will continue to be a member of the company’s Global Leadership Team.
