Furniture and appliance retailer Smiths City has appointed Alastair Kerr as its new chair, replacing Craig Boyce who is stepping aside at the end of May.

Gary Rohloff, an independent director for the business, is also resigning at the end of April to spend more time on his personal interests.

The move culminates a refreshment programme commenced in the second half of last year and signals an end to Boyce’s 30-year career with the company.

“Smiths City has been an important part of my life over three decades. It has been my privilege over that time to lead a company that is so tightly woven into the fabric of New Zealand’s communities.

“Finding a successor was a key goal of the board refreshment programme we started last year and I am delighted we have found the right person to lead the company forward,” Boyce said.

“Alastair brings to the company a depth of international retail and governance experience with industry giants such as Marks and Spencer, Mothercare, Virgin, The Body Shop, L’Oreal and Williams Sonoma.

“He also has strong experience in the New Zealand retail sector, serving as an Independent Director of the book retail cooperative Paper Plus Group and veterinary group VetSouth. He is the right person to guide Smiths City through its centenary this year and beyond,” Boyce continued.

Kerr said he’s “delighted” to take on the new role and thanked Boyce for his contribution to the company.

“Craig has played a pivotal role in ensuring Smith City has remained an enduring participant in the New Zealand retail market.

“More recently, he has worked with Gary, the rest of the board and management on a transformation that has put the company in a much stronger position to meet the significant challenges we face in the current retail environment,” he said.

“I am, meanwhile, looking forward to building on Smiths City’s legacy and ensuring that it continues to help New Zealanders to live better.”