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Wesfarmers’ commercial director switches to Bi-Lo

Wesfarmers commercial director, Ian McLeod, has resigned after accepting an offer to become President and Chief Executive Officer of Bi-Lo Holdings in the US.

Bi-Lo Holdings is based in Jacksonville, Florida and is one of the largest supermarket operators in the United States through its Winn-Dixie, BI-LO and Harvey chains. It has more than 70,000 employees, 801 stores, 530 in-store pharmacies and 146 liquor stores in the south eastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

“Ian’s new role reflects the high regard in which he is held in the global retail industry,” Wesfarmers managing director, Richard Goyder said

“Under his leadership, Coles more than doubled its earnings before interest and tax, helped generate significant shareholder value for the Wesfarmers Group and delivered Australian consumers better prices, quality and stores, further enhancing Ian’s credentials as a world class retailer.

Goyder said McLeod had done an outstanding job in more than six years with the Wesfarmers Group, including leading the turnaround and transformation of Coles following its acquisition by Wesfarmers in 2007.

“We are disappointed to be losing an executive of Ian’s calibre and passion but understand the attraction of taking on a major new challenge in the world’s biggest retail market.

“Since leading the turnaround strategy at Coles and handing over to his successor, John Durkan, last year, Ian has continued to provide leadership and highly valued guidance on growth opportunities for Wesfarmers as Commercial Director. His contribution will be greatly missed and we wish him well on his return to the Northern Hemisphere.”

McLeod will take up his new role at the beginning of March.

 

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