David Jones’ South African parent company Woolworths Holdings has appointed two independent non-executive directors, David Kneale and Thembisa Skweyiya, effective March 11 2019.

The business said it plans to add further non-executive directors moving forward.

Skweyiya has previously held positions at Citigroup and Nedbank Capital, has been a non-executive director of Rothschild, and has risk, audit, social and ethics and sustainability committee experience at both public and private companies.

Currently, Skweyiya serves as a non-executive director on the boards of Imperial Logistics Limited, Liberty Holdings Limited, Sumitomo Rubber South Africa Limited and Jonsson Workwear Limited.

Kneale has over 40 years of local and international retail experience in senior leadership and executive roles, according the Woolworths Holdings, having previously been the chief executive of Clicks Group between 2006 and 2019.

Kneale held senior retail positions at Boots plc, and served as the chief commercial officer and managing director of International Retail Development, as well as managing director at Waterstone’s Booksellers for approximately two years.

The appointments are made as the group chief executive Ian Moir is stepping in to fill the shoes of departed David Jones boss David Thomas while the search for a replacement continues.

Thomas had been in the position for almost 18 months, and resigned abruptly, citing personal reasons. He had been the target of an internal discrimination complaint last year, but was cleared of any wrongdoing in November 2018.