Mitre 10 NZ chief executive Andrea Scown to step down

Mitre 10 chief executive Andrea Scown is stepping down in December. Photo / Dean Purcell

Mitre 10 New Zealand boss Andrea Scown will step down in December after eight years at the company, four of which were as CEO.

Chair Andrew Smith said the board was immensely grateful for Scown’s vision, leadership and unwavering dedication as chief executive.

“With Andrea at the helm, the business has achieved impressive growth in retail and trade, and continuing market share growth has firmly established Mitre 10 as the leading home improvement brand in New Zealand,” Smith said.

“She has led the co-operative through significant milestones and challenges, including multi-year digital transformation, the Covid pandemic and global supply chain disruption, and execution of Mitre 10’s five-year strategy.

“With the digital transformation now in store deployment phase and the business on a strong strategic and financial foundation, Andrea feels the co-operative is well positioned to continue its leadership and growth trajectory into the future.”

Scown said she is especially proud of her executive team and the bench strength of the senior leadership built over the period.

“I truly believe this is the highest-performing executive leadership team in retail in this country. Together we have transformed our supply chain, used our business data and insights to drive improvements in customer experience, grown the network with new stores and trade distribution centres, embedded health and safety strategies and sustainability into the very fabric of how we do business.

“It’s an honour to lead this team and it will be a privilege and a great opportunity for the next leader too.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the board for their hard work on behalf of the other members. I hold immense respect for the members of our co-operative, who possess intergenerational vision and have earned their places in the communities in which they operate, employ, and live.”

Scown said she sees bright opportunities ahead for Mitre 10.

“Delivering the platforms for growth in technology, supply chain, and operating model puts us in a strong position to accelerate further. Now it’s time for a new leader to build on these foundations and take the co-operative forward into the future.”