Search for Glenn Cotterill and you are most likely to find articles about his relationship with Auckland socialite Sally Ridge.
But the Tauranga-born businessman is not nicknamed the “Grocer” for nothing and, as the owner of one of Auckland’s biggest Pak’nSave supermarkets, he has made himself a small fortune from the trade.
His connection with Foodstuffs started with his father, Donald, who worked for the company for 25 years.
Glenn became a member in 1992, with the purchase of Te Puke New World. Two years later he shifted to Whakatane Pak’n Save and in February 2002 bought Tauranga Pak’n Save, which he operated for 10 years.
In 2013 an opportunity came up to buy the huge Lincoln Rd Pak’nSave in the West Auckland suburb of Henderson and he took it with both hands.
As one of the biggest supermarkets by floor size and customer parking, Lincoln Rd can rake in up to $150m in revenue per year.
In other words, a cash cow.
Cotterill has other interests besides retailing and was heavily involved in Bay of Plenty rugby when in Tauranga.
He has been credited with helping pull the BOP union out of a precarious financial position after it sank to a $1 million loss in 2007. Once he got involved the union bounced back, with stronger governance, and has been profitable since.
Cotterill’s brother, Bruce, is also a handy businessman, having led a number of turnarounds, including real estate group Colliers, publisher ACP Magazines and sportswear business Canterbury International. He was also chief executive of Yellow Pages Group during the restructure of the company’s $1.8 billion of debt.
Glenn has other business interests too, including shares in Milton Innovations, a manufacturer of coffee cup lids that are made from biodegradable and compostable plastic.
He also has interests in property development through Parkwood Morrinsville, which has been involved in subdivisions near Matamata.
Cotterill’s own property interests include a $6.6m Herne Bay home, an Arrowtown section and a Mount Maunganui pad.
As mentioned, he’s personally involved with Sally Ridge and the pair have recently moved in together and travel extensively.
Recent trips include New Orleans, California and Mexico and Bali and Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix.
Cotterill is a keen motor racing enthusiast and has owned a Porsche GT3 racing car.
Photo: New Zealand Herald/newspix.co.nz