Woolworths : appoints new Managing Director of Woolworths Supermarkets

Monday, 16 January 2017: Woolworths Group (Woolworths) is pleased to announce the appointment of Claire Peters to the role of Managing Director, Woolworths Supermarkets, effective 1 July 2017.

Woolworths Supermarkets is the largest supermarket retailer in Australia. In her new role, Claire will lead a team of more than 115,000 Woolworths team members across 992 supermarkets, and is tasked with continuing the good progress that Woolworths is making to restore its Australian Supermarkets business back into sustainable growth.

Claire will report to Brad Banducci, Chief Executive Officer of Woolworths Group. In addition to his CEO duties, Brad will continue to play an active leadership role in the Woolworths Supermarkets, Digital, Metro and New Zealand Supermarkets businesses.

Claire joins Woolworths with more than 20 years experience in retail, most recently as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Tesco Thailand. In this role, Claire has overall responsibility for Tesco Thailand's supply chain and logistics encompassing 60,000 employees across 1,900 stores and six distribution centres.

'After an extensive search for the right candidate, we are delighted to welcome someone of Claire's calibre to our team. Cultural fit is critically important to us and Claire has the ability to work with our team to further develop our 'Customer 1st and Team 1st' strategy,' said Mr. Banducci.

'Woolworths is one of Australia's most iconic brands. The strategy for our transformation is clearly defined and starting to deliver results. Claire has a proven track record in working with teams to deliver against key strategic objectives and she is the right person to work with our team to continue the good progress we have already made,' he said.

Mrs. Peters said, 'I am excited to be joining Woolworths and leading an experienced, nationwide team of retailers. Successful retailers put their customers first and I look forward to continuing to drive Woolworths' existing customer-led strategy.'
Claire began her retail career more than two decades ago as a graduate at Tesco. She held a variety of store manager roles, before progressing on to further positions including Regional Retail Director; Managing Director, Large Stores; and Commercial Director, Healthcare & Baby, Beauty and Toiletries. In March 2014 Claire moved to Thailand to take up her COO responsibilities for Tesco Thailand.

Claire has a BSc in Economics and Psychology from the University of Loughborough, United Kingdom.

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Media Contact: Woolworths Group Press Office - ph 02 8885 1033