Tesco boss heads to Woolworths

WOOLWORTHS has appointed a senior executive of the British retailer Tesco as its new director of Australian supermarkets and petrol after the former boss of the flagship division, Greg Foran, resigned when he was passed over for the top job.

By InvestSMART · 18 Aug 2011

By InvestSMART ·
18 Aug 2011

Comments

Woolworths said yesterday Mr Tjeerd Jegen, who is chief executive of Tesco Malaysia, will join the company by the end of this calendar year.

He started his retailing career as a management trainee with Royal Ahold in his native Holland and has held store operations, commercial, marketing and general management roles with three leading international retailers in seven countries.

He has also held senior management roles for Royal Ahold in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Mr Jegen joined the German retailer Metro in 2007 and then moved to Tesco in 2009 as chief operating officer for its Thailand business.

He was appointed chief executive in Malaysia early last year where he successfully increased the brand's hypermarket offer and presence.

Woolworths deputy chief executive Grant O'Brien said: "Tjeerd is a highly regarded and extremely experienced grocery retailer and we are delighted to welcome him to Woolworths and ... his family to Australia.

"He is a thoughtful, engaging and motivated individual with a great passion for the business of selling and a very strong customer focus. I am confident he will be a dynamic addition to our supermarket team."

Mr O'Brien will take over at Woolworths in October upon the retirement of current boss Michael Luscombe.

Go to Google News, then click "Follow" button to add us.

Share this article and show your support

Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What recent senior appointment did Woolworths announce?

Woolworths announced it has appointed Tjeerd Jegen, a senior executive from Tesco, as its new director of Australian supermarkets and petrol. The company said he will join by the end of this calendar year.

Who is Tjeerd Jegen and what is his retail background?

Tjeerd Jegen is the chief executive of Tesco Malaysia and a seasoned grocery retailer. He began his career as a management trainee with Royal Ahold in Holland and has held store operations, commercial, marketing and general management roles across seven countries, including senior management posts for Royal Ahold in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

What roles did Tjeerd Jegen hold before joining Woolworths?

Before Woolworths, Jegen joined the German retailer Metro in 2007, moved to Tesco in 2009 as chief operating officer for its Thailand business, and was appointed chief executive of Tesco Malaysia early last year, where he increased the brand’s hypermarket offer and presence.

Why did Greg Foran resign from Woolworths?

The article states that Greg Foran, the former boss of Woolworths’ flagship division, resigned after he was passed over for the company’s top job.

When will Woolworths' leadership change take place and who will become CEO?

Grant O’Brien, Woolworths’ deputy chief executive, will take over as CEO in October when the current boss, Michael Luscombe, retires.

What did Woolworths’ deputy chief executive Grant O’Brien say about Tjeerd Jegen?

Grant O’Brien described Tjeerd Jegen as a highly regarded and extremely experienced grocery retailer. He said Woolworths is delighted to welcome Jegen and his family to Australia and called him thoughtful, engaging, motivated, customer-focused and a dynamic addition to the supermarket team.

Which international retailers has Jegen worked for that are mentioned in the announcement?

The announcement mentions Jegen’s experience with Royal Ahold, the German retailer Metro, and Tesco (including Tesco Thailand and Tesco Malaysia).

What specific changes did Jegen achieve at Tesco Malaysia that are noted in the article?

The article notes that as chief executive in Malaysia, Jegen successfully increased Tesco’s hypermarket offer and presence.