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Loblaw goes without a CEO

President’s role expanded; Galen Weston named executive chairman

Russell Redman

January 15, 2019

3 Min Read
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Loblaw Cos. no longer has the position of chief executive officer.

Canada’s largest grocery retailer said Tuesday that Chairman and CEO Galen Weston has become executive chairman, and Sarah Davis has taken on additional duties in her role as president.

Sarah_Davis_Loblaw_0.pngWith the move, Davis (left) now oversees Loblaw’s 13-member management board and adds finance and human resources to her direct reporting lines, on top of her daily supervision of the company’s business performance. She continues to report to Weston.

In the role of executive chairman, Weston retains senior executive oversight of Loblaw's long-term strategy, the company said, adding that he will be able to devote more attention to the transformation under way at parent company George Weston Ltd., where he serves as chairman and CEO.

Loblaw noted that no other changes have been made to its executive team, which in the C-suite includes Mike Motz as chief operating officer, Darren Myers as chief financial officer, Rob Wiebe as chief administrative officer, Garry Senecal as chief customer officer and Gordon Currie as chief legal officer.

Davis has served as Loblaw’s president since January 2017, taking over the role from Weston, who became CEO of George Weston Ltd. after being named chairman in 2016. In her 12 years at Loblaw, Davis has served as chief financial officer, chief administrative officer and the executive lead of most business and operational functions.

Related:Loblaw looks to become ‘pure-play’ retailer

"Sarah and I have worked closely for over a decade, and she has played an important role in many of Loblaw's most defining moments: the formation of Choice Properties, the acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart, the creation of PC Optimum and a long-term strategy that demonstrates our passion for customers," Weston said. "Together, our team has put the company on an exciting strategic path, and Sarah is a great leader to take us forward."

The executive change comes two months after Loblaw spun off its 61.6% interest in the Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) under a reorganization with George Weston Ltd. The transaction, completed Nov. 1, positioned Loblaw as a “pure-play” food and pharmacy retail stock. Loblaw’s interest in Choice Properties went to George Weston Ltd., which now owns about 65.4% of the REIT directly.

“It simplifies Loblaw as a pure-play retailer by spinning out a non-strategic business and allows Loblaw to focus on pursuing its core retail, connected healthcare, digital retail and payments and rewards strategy,” Loblaw and George Weston Ltd. Announced when the transaction closed. “GWL will be more balanced and diversified, with three strong and well-positioned pillars in retail, food and real estate.”

Related:Loblaw opens exclusive benefits to all loyalty members

George Weston Ltd.’s business units are Loblaw, Weston Foods and Choice Properties. Loblaw operates more than 1,050 supermarkets, including about 500 in-store pharmacies, plus nearly 1,400 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix drug stores. The company also provides the President’s Choice (grocery), no name (food and household products) and Life Brand (health and wellness) private labels; PC Financial services; Joe Fresh fashion and apparel brand; and the PC Optimum loyalty program.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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