Loblaw announces management changes

TORONTO  — George Weston Limited and Loblaw Companies Limited on Thursday named Galen Weston chairman and CEO of George Weston Limited. Weston will continue in his role as chairman and CEO of Loblaw.



In addition, Luc Mongeau has been appointed president, Weston Foods and Sarah Davis president, Loblaw.



Weston became chairman of George Weston last September, succeeding his father W. Galen Weston, who stepped down at the age of 75 after over four decades leading George Weston. With his appointment today as CEO, Weston succeeds Pavi Binning, who will become special advisor to Wittington Investments, Limited, owned by the Weston family. Binning will step down from the George Weston and Loblaw boards of directors.



"Pavi has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategic direction," Weston said. "And he has provided strong support through the leadership succession process which we have just completed. Our family looks forward to continuing to benefit from his valuable experience and insight with our other business interests."



Davis will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operation of Loblaw's business and execution of its strategy. Davis will report to Weston. Since 2014, Davis has served as chief administrative officer, responsible for supply chain, IT (including SAP implementation), process and efficiencies, real estate, goods not for resale and strategy.



Prior to that, she served as CFO Loblaw, appointed in 2010.



"I am extremely pleased to welcome Sarah to the role of president. She has an exceptional understanding of Loblaw," Weston said. "This, together with her strong financial background, particularly in operational roles, positions her well for this expanded leadership role," he said. "I look forward to continuing to work closely with Sarah and the whole management team in the years ahead as we focus on delivering the best in food, best in health and beauty, operational excellence and growth."



Mongeau, newly appointed president of Weston Foods, is a seasoned consumer goods executive with extensive branding, product development, operations and P&L management experience in food, chocolate and petcare categories. Over a 15-year career at Mars, his roles included leading the Canadian business, Mars Petcare's multi-billion dollar North American business and setting the global strategic and marketing direction for some of Mars' leading Petcare brands.



The rest of the broader management teams at George Weston and Loblaw remain unchanged.