Woolworths Holdings Limited (WHL), David Jones South African parent company, has appointed Roy Bagattini (pictured) as group CEO and an executive director, effective 17 February 2020. He succeeds Ian Moir who has been at the helm since November 2010.
Moir will step down as group CEO and executive director but will continue as acting CEO of David Jones to facilitate a smooth transition.
Bagattini is president for Levi Strauss & Company America, responsible for leading commercial operations, including a network of retail stores across the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Latin America. He played an instrumental role in the development and acceleration of the e-commerce and omni-channel capabilities of Levi Strauss.
(Photo Credit: Norma Young from The South African)
With a 19-year career in international markets, Bagattini was formerly president for Levi Strauss Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa from 2013 to 2016 and prior to that was president for the Carlsberg Group Asia and Africa based in Hong Kong for five years. He also held various executive roles in SABMiller plc internationally and in South Africa between 1991 and 2009.
During his career, Bagattini has led numerous merger and acquisition projects, as well as spearheaded turnaround projects and successfully driven growth and expansion.
WHL chairman, Hubert Brody said Bagattini has extensive operational, management and turnaround experience in global consumer and retail markets which will prove invaluable in a time of structural change in the retail sector and within the group. “The experienced executive management team, under Roy’s leadership, will continue to drive the future strategy for the group.”
WHL also thanked Moir for his stewardship for the last nine years where he oversaw a period of significant growth and transformation.