Woolworths has revealed the candidate set to take the NZ leadership reins from former managing director Spencer Sonn.
Woolworths has revealed the candidate set to take the NZ leadership reins from former managing director Spencer Sonn.
Just a few weeks after supermarket giant Woolworths Group announced its New Zealand director Spencer Sonn would be leaving, his replacement has been revealed.
Sally Copland, hailing from Masterton in New Zealand, has been appointed managing director of Woolworths New Zealand.
Copland has been with the group forover 18 years in several leadership roles and is currently the managing director of e-commerce for Woolworths Group.
She was the interim managing director of Woolworths New Zealand from October 2020 to March 2021, and before that also led the brand, e-commerce and CountdownX team in New Zealand.
Sally Copland has been appointed the new managing director of Woolworths New Zealand, taking the reins from the departing Spencer Sonn.
Woolworths Group chief executive Amanda Bardwell highlighted Copland’s extensive experience.
“Sally’s experience in Australia and New Zealand across many parts of our food businesses makes her ideally suited to lead Woolworths New Zealand in its continuing transformation,” Bardwell said.
Bardwell also shared her thanks to the departing Sonn for his leadership “in a very challenging environment”.
Copland will relocate back to New Zealand in July, with Pieter De Wet, the current commercial director in New Zealand, taking on the managing director role in an interim capacity from March 2025.
Alongside the appointment of Copland, Woolworths Group announced Annette Karantoni has been appointed as managing director of Woolworths Retail.
Bardwell said Karantoni had overseen the group’s supply chain business Primary Connect for over three years.
“Prior to leading Primary Connect, Annette spent over 20 years working across Woolworths Group and has held senior leadership roles in Australian food in e-commerce, buying, marketing and replenishment,” Bardwell added.
“With Metro, Greenstock and Woolworths Food Company retail moving into Woolworths retail under Annette’s leadership, we will be able to enhance the role our retail food stores and own brand play in meeting the needs of our customers.”
Spencer Sonn is leaving his role as managing director of Woolworths New Zealand at the end of March.
Departing our shores
Spencer Sonn announced in January he would be leaving Woolworths New Zealand at the end of March after four years.
Originally from South Africa, Sonn intends to return home to take up a new role with Woolworths Holdings Ltd.
Sonn thanked team members and the New Zealand community for welcoming him so warmly.
“I’ve been lucky to see a lot of this beautiful country and meet many local customers over the last few years, but also to spend time with our team, growers and local suppliers, and see first-hand the passion and care they demonstrate every day,” he said.
Sonn spearheaded the controversial $400 million Countdown brand change back to Woolworths, launched Woolworths’ loyalty programme Everyday Rewards into the New Zealand market, and led the transformation of offshoot FreshChoice.
Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business and retail.
