Aldi Süd’s CEO for the UK and Ireland, Matthew Barnes, has been appointed to the company’s 'Coordination Council' (Koordinierungsrat), the discounter's highest executive committee.
Barnes is set to take the seat on 15 April, replacing Robert Ochsenschläger, who has retired, and will occupy one of four positions on the council, The Grocer magazine reports.
Barnes will take on the responsibility for the discounter’s US operations, in addition to his overseeing position for the UK and Ireland business.
He will also join the board of Aldi Süd’s Austrian operations, Hofer KG, in Salzburg.
The current group MD for UK and Ireland, Giles Hurley, will reportedly be promoted to CEO.
Accelerating Growth
Barnes told The Grocer that he is “tremendously excited at this fantastically exciting opportunity to broaden my horizons”, adding that the appointment is not likely to have a major impact on Aldi’s UK and Ireland business.
“We’ve just closed off a fantastic January,” he continued. “Growth is accelerating. And the great news is, while Giles takes over the day-to-day running of the UK and Ireland operation, I’m still overseeing the UK and my family home will still be here.
"The difference is just that I will personally be doing a lot more travelling and have wider responsibility."
© 2018 - Checkout Magazine by Kevin Duggan
