Today, Woolworths Holdings announced a renewal of its leadership and organisational structure under newly appointed Group CEO Sam Ngumeni, bringing clarity to the Group’s operating model in ways that build agility, resilience, and the ability to accelerate execution and support growth.

These changes follow the Group CEO’s assessment that the organisation’s operating model has not kept pace with its ambition. Woolworths needs clear accountability without ambiguity, decisions made closer to where value is created, and the ability to move faster. The revised organisational design is driven by a conviction that accountability must sit where execution happens. These operating model changes strengthen the businesses future-ready ability to meet its success metrics.

The departure of two executive leaders, together with the organisational design principles outlined above, has shaped the Group’s reset operating model. Spencer Sonn, outgoing Chief Customer Officer, and Nuholt Huisamen, outgoing CEO of FBH, depart with thanks for their contributions and well wishes for their futures.

The following changes are in effect from 1 July 2026:

  • The Food Division will be led by Chan Pillay, current Commercial Director for Food, now appointed CEO of Woolworths Food.
  • The Fashion, Beauty and Home (FBH) Division will be led by Manie Maritz, current CEO of Woolworths Ventures, who has agreed to defer his retirement and lead the FBH business during this time.
  • Operations, including Supply Chain, Logistics, Retail Operations, Stores, Real Estate Development, and the Group’s Rest of Africa network, have been consolidated into a single division, with the creation of a new Chief Operating Officer role. Bradley Nitsckie, current Chief Supply Chain Officer, has been appointed to this position.
  • The IT Services Division will now consolidate Online, Information Technology, Data & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security into a single Digital and Technology Division. Christie Koorts has been appointed Chief Digital and Technology Officer, having served as Chief Information and Technology Officer.
  • Given the strategic importance of the Woolworths brand, a Chief Marketing Officer role has been created. Marketing expands to include Sustainability and Loyalty, and Simphiwe Pato, current Director of Brand and Marketing, has been appointed Interim Chief Marketing Officer.
  • Woolworths Ventures, having fulfilled its incubation mandate, is being integrated into the core business. WEdit moves into FBH; WCellar moves into Food; and Absolute Pets will continue reporting to its board.
  • Food Services, including WCafé and Now Now, will move to the Strategy portfolio, with Chris Brikkels, current Head of Strategy Execution for Food, appointed as WHL Director of Strategy.

Commenting on the changes, Sam Ngumeni said: “The new organisational design brings accountability closer to where value is created and equips the Group with the right people in the right roles. I have full confidence in my executive leadership team and will rely on each of them to fulfil our ambition and move us forward as an organisation.”

The following divisions and its leadership remain unchanged:

  • Finance is led by Chief Financial Officer, Zaid Manjra.
  • People is led by Group People Director, Melanie Naidu.
  • Governance, Risk and Compliance is led by Chantel Reddiar, Group Company Secretary & Director: Governance, Risk, Legal, Compliance, Corporate Affairs & Communications.
  • Country Road Group is led by CEO, Steven Cook.

Woolworths is confident that the new organisational design will simplify operations, eliminate duplication, and realign portfolios. These changes will drive stronger trading momentum and more effective, efficient operations across the Group.