Cape Town - Woolworths Holdings [JSE:WHL] on Wednesday announced the appointment of Zyda Rylands to the new role of CEO of Woolworths South Africa.
Rylands, former managing director: foods and chief operating officer of Woolworths, will take responsibility for the entire food and clothing business across South Africa and Africa.
This change brings consistency to the WHL Group structure, with all main business units - namely Woolworths South Africa, David Jones and Country Road Group - as well as the positions of chief operating officer, chief financial officer and group secretary reporting to group CEO Ian Moir, Woolworths said in a statement.
Rylands, whose career at Woolworths spans 20 years, has transformed Woolworths Foods into a sizeable foods business which has seen 83% growth in turnover as well as 240% growth in profit.
Moir said Rylands is a talented and inspirational retailer and leader. She has delivered consistently strong results as MD of the foods business, growing both market share and margin while understanding and anticipating the needs of Woolworths customers.
“This year has been transformational for our group with the acquisition of David Jones turning us into a southern hemisphere retailer of scale. Ensuring each major business has a CEO who is clearly focused and responsible for driving growth and profitability, will better position us to deliver our strategic objectives,” said Moir.
Rylands expressed excitement at taking on her new role. "Our strategy is clear in South Africa and Africa, and I am very much looking forward to leading such an amazing brand and talented group of people.”