Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland has today announced the departure of chief executive JP Scally, and his incoming replacement, Robert Ryan.
The change in leadership comes as Scally prepares to take over as the chief executive officer of Lidl France from 1 August 2024.
With a career spanning more than two decades with the retailer, Scally will now take the top position in France, where he was previously the operations director for three years.
Following that role, he returned to Ireland to take up his first CEO position with Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, which he has held since 2015.
The appointment marks a welcome return for Scally to Lidl France, where his expanded remit will see him responsible for more than 1,600 stores and 46,000 employees.
He will lead the company as it continues to deliver on its ambitious growth strategy in France.
The company confirmed his successor as Robert Ryan, current chief customer officer and board member.
Ryan will officially commence his new role as chief executive officer for Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland from 1 October 2024.
Since joining the company in 2003, Ryan has gained incredible experience from a variety of roles, including sales operations manager, regional managing director, chief operations officer, and, most recently, chief customer officer.
He was appointed to the board in 2018.
‘A Testament To The Hard Work Of Our Team’
Commenting on the news, outgoing chief executive Scally said, “As I reflect on my nine years as CEO at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, I am extremely proud of the business’s development in that time – more than doubling our market share in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, and bringing our value offering to dozens of communities.
“Being recently voted Ireland’s most reputable retailer and Northern Ireland’s most sustainable retailer is a testament to the hard work of our team in recent years in delivering for our customers and the communities we serve.
“I am proud to leave behind an exceptional team of 7,000 talented colleagues across our operations.
“I feel very lucky to have led the business in my home country for so long, and I am delighted to pass over the reins to incoming CEO Robert Ryan.
“Robert has been an invaluable part of the Lidl team for the last 20 years, and I am confident that he will drive the business to new heights.
“I wish him every success in his new role.”
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