April 2008 Woolworths director Zyda Rylands has been appointed Chief Operating Officer: Support Services. Rylands will now assume additional responsibility for supply chain, information technology and strategy in addition to her existing portfolio of People and Transformation director. Simon Susman, CEO of Woolworths said, “I am delighted to be able to make this announcement. This is testimony to Zyda’s passion, energy and her commitment. Zyda’s contribution to the people and transformation portfolios has been substantial and we look forward to her bringing this excellence and quality to her new role.” Rylands joined Woolworths in 1996 and worked in the finance and store operations teams. She was appointed People director of Woolworths (Proprietary) Limited in 2005 and was appointed to the board of Woolworths in 2006. Rylands is a Chartered Accountant and received the Black Management Forum’s Manager of the Year Award in 1997 and was nominated among the top ten candidates for the Impumelelo/BMF Business Personality of the Year award in 2001 for her achievements. Rylands other directorships include the FirstRand Bank Holdings, African Capital Property Portfolio, National Urban Reconstruction and Housing Agency and the Open Society Foundation of South Africa. Ends