Foodstuffs South Island has named Mary Devine as its new CEO, who will succeed 20-year veteran Steve Anderson.
Foodstuffs says Devine will join the company as CEO designate on November 8 to allow for “a timely transition” from Anderson.
“We undertook a global search and after a robust process the fact that the best person for the role is a Kiwi who was born and bred in the South Island is a tremendous bonus,” said Foodstuffs South Island chairman, Russell McKenzie.
“Mary has the leadership skills and retail expertise to lead the co-operative into a new phase of excellence in terms of meeting the needs of our customers,” he said.
“She has successfully led a number of retail businesses and we are fortunate that over the past three years she has been on the board of both Foodstuffs South Island and Foodstuffs New Zealand. This depth of understanding will be invaluable in leading the key strategic priorities facing the business,” said McKenzie.
Devine is currently also a director of apparel retail group Hallenstein Glassons – which she led as MD from April 2019 until April this year – and has also held directorships at Briscoe Group, IAG New Zealand, Meridian Energy and Christchurch City Holdings. She was also previously CEO of EziBuy and MD of department store Ballantynes & Co.
Devine described Foodstuffs South Island as “a highly respected business that plays a pivotal role within the South Island community”.
“I’m looking forward to working across the organisation to ensure retail excellence to benefit our customers, suppliers, and members.
“Customers are at the heart of Foodstuffs. It’s exciting to see new initiatives in the pipeline that will continue to enhance the customer experience. Personally, I am aligned with the philosophy of the co-operative model, the strong partnership between the support office, members and suppliers creates an important collaboration in achieving customer-centricity.”
She received the Honorary Queens award of an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to business in 2013.
