Metcash has announced the appointment of Ian Morrice as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, replacing outgoing Chief Andrew Reitzer, who will step down at the end of June.

Mr Morrice brings over 30 years of retail experience to the role, having served in the executive team in a number of the UK’s top retail companies.

Most recently was Group CEO and Managing Director of New Zealand’s Warehouse Group from 2004 until 2011.  Mr Morrice has been a Director of Metcash since June 2012.

Metcash Chairman Peter Barnes said Mr Morrice’s strategic and retail expertise were key attributes the Board was looking for in Metcash’s new leader.

“We are very fortunate to have had a depth of senior talent within Metcfrom which to choose a successor to Andrew Reitzer,” Mr Barnes said.

Ian inherits a company that is vastly stronger than when Andrew became CEO in 1998. Metcash has become a champion of independent retailers and has gone from an underlying loss of $3.1m in 1998 to an underlying profit of $262.5m in 2012. It is a great platform for Ian to build on.

Mr Reitzer expressed his delight in leaving the company in the hands of Mr Morrice, saying he was proud to be leaving the company in significantly better shape than when he found it.

“Metcash has only become stronger in recent years and I am confident I am handing a company in terrific shape to Ian and the rest of the Metcash team.  I am very proud of what we have achieved together since 1998.”