Home improvement retailer Mitre 10 has appointed Lindsay Rowles as its new NZ CEO.

Effective from March 9, Rowles will bring more than 15 years of leadership experience from companies including Foodstuffs, Woolworths, and Aldi.

Originally from Melbourne, Rowles now calls Auckland home and he says he values the role cooperatives play in communities across Aotearoa.

“I’m genuinely honoured to join Mitre 10 – a business built on strong values, deep community roots, and an ownership model that gives real meaning to partnership,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to getting out into stores, meeting members and teams, and learning what makes this cooperative so special.”

Mitre 10 said that until Rowles’ tenure begins, Grant Fraser, chief legal and sustainability officer, will continue as interim CEO.

“Mitre 10 is at a pivotal point in its journey. We need innovation, leadership, and courage to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world,” the company’s chair, Andrew Smith, added. 

“Lindsay is the right person to lead us through this next chapter, bringing strategic vision, proven results, and a great cultural fit for our cooperative.”