Roy Bagattini will be taking over the reins from Ian Moir as Woolworths Holdings CEO in February.
For the past six years, Roy Bagattini has travelled extensively as president of Levi Strauss Americas, calling San Francisco home. But now he is set for a return to his true roots as he officially takes up the position of Woolworths Holdings CEO from 17 February.
Bagattini will likely be based in Cape Town, but yet again, travel extensively in South Africa and abroad.
Smooth transition
In a SENS announcement, Woolworths clarified how the transition is expected to run as Bagattini takes over from the outgoing Ian Moir.
“Further to previous communications around the selection of a successor to the WHL Group chief executive officer (“group CEO”), the board is pleased to announce that Mr Roy Bagattini has been appointed as the new WHL Group CEO and an executive director, with effect from 17 February 2020. Mr Ian Moir, the WHL Group CEO will step down from his position as group CEO and executive director with effect from 16 February 2020.
Woolworths Holdings announcement
In order to facilitate a smooth transition, Moir will be working closely with Roy and will also continue in his role as acting CEO of David Jones.
What we can expect from Roy Bagittini
In the statement, Woolworths Holdings chairperson Hubert Brody gave an indication of what Bagattini is expected to deliver for Woolworths:
“Roy has extensive operational, management and turnaround experience in global consumer and retail markets, which will prove invaluable as we continue to navigate the structural changes taking place in the retail sector and the challenges particular to our group.
“The experienced executive management team, under Roy´s leadership, will continue to drive the future strategy for the group. The board welcomes Roy and looks forward to his contribution.”
Ideal candidate
As his LinkedIn profile shows, Bagattini has an illustrious career that makes him the ideal candidate to take over from outgoing CEO Moir.
Most recently, he was vice-president and then president of Levi Strauss Americas where he was responsible for leading the company’s largest commercial operations, spanning all brands and channels across the United States (US), Canada, Mexico, Brazil and the balance of Latin America.
According to Levi Strauss, Roy has an extensive track record of delivering business results in senior leadership roles across the US, Middle East, Africa and Europe for consumer goods and beverage companies.
He has led many large-scale merger and acquisition projects, has spearheaded the impressive turn-around of several companies and successfully driven the growth and expansion of various businesses, particularly in emerging markets.
From 2009 to 2013, Roy held the role of Carlsberg Group Asia and Africa president based in Hong Kong and prior to that — from 1991 to 2009 — held various executive roles in SABMiller plc internationally and in South Africa.
