Undergoes leadership transformation.
South African retailer Woolworths Holdings has restructured the David Jones’ executive team, sending off merchandise executive, Donna Player, and head of marketing, financial services and customer insights David Robinson.
Player, a former Grace Bros, Katies and Big W executive, has been replaced by long-serving Woolworths South Africa executive, David Collins, effective immediately. Robinson, who joined David Jones in 1998, was replaced on an interim basis by chief operating officer David Thomas while the company searches for a permanent successor.
A David Jones spokesman told media that the shake-up was initiated by new chief executive John Dixon (pictured above), rather than Woolworths’ chief executive and David Jones chairman Ian Moir.
“It’s not unusual that a new CEO would make changes to the team and add to it,” the spokesman said.
Dixon has elevated the general manager of food, South African Pieter de Wet, to the new role of group executive of food, reflecting the importance of food in David Jones’ growth strategy.
Dixon has also created a new role, group executive digital, and is searching for a suitable candidate.
“Our business is undergoing a significant transformation and these changes will deliver a world-class leadership team,” Dixon said.