New MD for Foodstuffs Wellington

Foodstuffs Wellington will take on a new managing director from February 2010.

The cooperative's chairman Brian Drake yesterday announced the appointment of Craig Wilson, who comes from the country's biggest hardware group, Mitre 10.

Mr Wilson worked for Foodstuffs rival Woolworths NZ for 10 years before taking on management roles at Lion Nathan's Liquor King group and the chief executive role at Mitre 10 in 2001.

Mr Drake said he led strong sales growth during a period of great industry consolidation and aggressive competitor activity during that time.

Foodstuffs Wellington's existing managing director Tony McNeil is ending a 12 year run with the company.

Mr Drake said Tony had seen the company grow from a $900 million turnover in 1998 to over $2.2 billion in sales this year and an enviable market share position.