Mitre 10, one of New Zealand’s home improvement retailers, has named two new appointees to its executive leadership team.

The cooperative has appointed Matthew Washington as chief financial officer and Derek Heard to the role of GM for Trade.

Mitre 10 CEO, Neil Cowie, said both appointees bring a substantial depth of knowledge and experience into the company.

“These appointments follow a comprehensive search of the marketplace in NZ and we are delighted with the experience Matthew and Derek will bring to the table,” he said.

Washington’s career spans 27 years and covers a range of roles in both NZ and abroad in industries including professional services, building products and retail operations. Most recently he served as the CFO of Pumpkin Patch for 14 years, and previously spent time as a senior manager at Fletcher Wood Panels and Ernst & Young.

“Matthew brings a deep understanding of retail as well as excellent financial acumen and governance experience to help us take Mitre 10 forward,” said Cowie.

Heard too brings a high degree of experience, with nearly 25 years of experience in several construction sectors under his belt. He most recently served as NZ country manager for Tasman Insulation under the Fletcher Building banner and also worked in various management roles within PlaceMakers.

Heard will be joining the team on October 1 and Washington will join mid-October.