Liz Wheadon has been named the new president of Retail NZ–the first woman to hold the role – with Jules Lloyd-Jones as VP.

Wheadon is the GM of Glengarry Wines while Lloyd-Jones is the CMO of Mitre 10. They both will serve a two-year term respectively.

“The New Zealand retail sector has been through a lot in the past few years and dealing with significant issues like retail crime, inflation pressures, and skills shortages,” said Wheadon.

“Despite these challenges, I believe in the value of retailers across the country and the collective response to continuing to serve customers and their communities.”

Outgoing president Des Flynn of The Warehouse Group will remain a director on the board.

Retail NZ is a membership-based organisation that represents the views and interests of the New Zealand retail sector. In August, the organisation welcomed a three-strikes policy for burglary as recommended by the Act Party.