New Woolworths CEO brings in the big guns

Woolworths’ new CEO has announced a major shake-up in the retailer’s C-suite, with two top executives set to depart.

In line with other operational restructurings, Woolworths has also promoted several stalwarts to top leadership positions, many of whom had been at the retailer for well over a decade.

This marks new CEO Sam Ngumeni’s first big change since taking the reins from Roy Bagattini in early June 2026.

On 23 June, Woolworths said in a statement that it would be undertaking a renewal of its leadership and organisational structure.

This renewal, the retailer said, should bring clarity to its operating model “in ways that build agility, resilience, and the ability to accelerate execution and support growth”.

It explained that these changes follow Ngumeni’s assessment that Woolworths’ 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 retailer said. 

“The revised organisational design is driven by a conviction that accountability must sit where execution happens.” 

“These operating model changes strengthen the business’s future-ready ability to meet its success metrics.”

As part of this renewal, two executive leaders will be departing – Chief Customer Officer (CCO) Spencer Sonn and CEO of Woolworths’ Fashion, Beauty, and Home (FBH) business, Nuholt Huisamen.

Sonn had been at Woolworths since 2002, serving in various roles at the retailer before becoming CCO in April 2025.

Huisamen is a more recent appointment, having only joined Woolworths as FBH CEO in September 2025. He previously worked at Levi Strauss, where Bagattini had also served prior to taking the helm at Woolworths.

Woolworths’ FBH business is currently undergoing a turnaround, having struggled to keep pace with the retailer’s booming Food segment over the past few years.

In its statement, Woolworths thanked Sonn and Huisamen for their contributions and wished them well for the future.

Assembling the stalwarts

Sonn and Huisamen’s departure is not the only change Woolworths announced, with the retailer set to undergo a major shake-up.

Firstly, Woolworths announced that its Food division – its most successful segment that was previously headed by Ngumeni – will now be led by Chan Pillay.

Pillay is a Woolworths stalwart, having worked at the retailer for nearly 29 years. He currently serves as Woolworth’s Commercial Director for Food.

Secondly, Woolworths’ FBH Division will now be led by Manie Maritz, current CEO of Woolworths Ventures.

Maritz has been with Woolworths for six years but has decades of retail experience, having previously served as managing director at Markham.

Maritz was set to retire, but agreed to defer his retirement to lead Woolworths’ FBH business.

Thirdly, Woolworths announced that its 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.

This has also led to the creation of a new Chief Operating Officer role, which will be filled by Bradley Nitsckie.

Nitsckie, who currently serves as Woolworths’ Chief Supply Chain Officer, had been with the retailer for well over a decade, having joined in 2010.

Fourthly, Woolworths said its IT Services Division will now consolidate Online, Information Technology, Data & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security into a single Digital and Technology Division. 

Another Woolworths stalwart, Christie Koorts, has been appointed Chief Digital and Technology Officer, having previously served as Chief Information and Technology Officer.

Koorts has worked at Woolworths for more than two decades, starting in 2006.

Woolworths further announced that, given the strategic importance of its brand, a Chief Marketing Officer role has been created, with marketing expanded to include Sustainability and Loyalty.

Simphiwe Pato, Woolworths’ current Director of Brand and Marketing, has been appointed Interim Chief Marketing Officer. Pato has been with Woolworths for just over two years.

In addition, Woolworths said its Ventures segment has fulfilled its incubation mandate and is now being integrated into the core business. 

Launched in 2024, Woolworths Ventures operated as a specialised “incubator” focused on expanding the retailer into high-growth segments.

Woolworths Ventures’ integration into the core business will see WEdit move into FBH and WCellar move into Food, while Absolute Pets will continue reporting to its board.

Lastly, Woolworths announced that its Food Services, including WCafé and Now Now, will move to the Strategy portfolio.

In this regard, Chris Brikkels, Woolworths’ current Head of Strategy Execution for Food, has been appointed as WHL Director of Strategy.

Also a Woolworths veteran, Brikkels has been with the retailer since 2002 and has served in numerous roles at the company.

Overall, Ngumeni explained that these changes are aimed at bringing accountability closer to where value is created and equipping 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,” he said.