Management shake-up at Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart

Brampton, Ontario -- Loblaw Cos. on Thursday announced a series of management changes, including the appointment of Galen Weston, executive chairman, as president, effective immediately. He succeeds Vicente Trius, president since August 2011, who is leaving the company, effective immediately, for family reasons to return to Brazil.



"Vicente has made an enormous impact on virtually every aspect of our business in the time that he has been with the company,” Weston said. “Our businesses are stronger, our customer proposition more compelling and our operating effectiveness much improved. He has set a strong foundation for the future.



The company also announced that Domenic Pilla , president of its Shoppers Drug Mart unit, is leaving by the end of 2014. Mike Motz, currently Shoppers Drug Mart executive VP and chief merchandising officer, will become the president of the drug store chain effective on the resignation of Pilla.



"For the balance of the year, Domenic will remain as president of Shoppers Drug Mart and be fully engaged in the business,” Weston said. “In addition to his normal duties, Domenic will work very closely with me to deliver on several important initiatives, including the transition to a new president of Shoppers Drug Mart.”



As part of the new management structure to support the Company's evolving business, Weston appointed seasoned operational leaders to assume the following key roles:



• Richard Dufresne will assume the role of CFO of Loblaw. He will retain his role as CFO at George Weston Limited;



• Sarah Davis, previously CFO, will become chief administrative officer, responsible for supply chain, IT (including SAP implementation), Goods Not for Resale, Loblaw Properties and Strategy. Her key objective will be to deliver efficiencies across the organization, including those resulting from the implementation of SAP.



• Grant Froese, previously chief administrative officer, becomes COO of the company.



"I am excited about the future, and the opportunity to execute on the strategic vision we have built for the company. I am confident that Loblaw will continue to advance its business both financially and operationally and be well-positioned to create long-term sustainable value," Weston said.