Foodstuffs executive Lindsay Rowles appointed Mitre 10 chief executive
Lindsay Rowles will take the reins as Mitre 10 chief executive from March next year.
Mitre 10 New Zealand has appointed one of Foodstuffs’ most senior executives as its brand new chief executive as the retailer embarks on its next era.
Lindsay Rowles, former Foodstuffs North Island general manager, will lead the multi-category retailer from March 9, 2026.
He takes over the reins from Andrea Scown who has been in the role since March 2021 and announced she would step down back in July.
Rowles has over 15 years’ experience of executive leadership across Australia and New Zealand, having worked at Woolworths Australia, Aldi, and, of course, Foodstuffs.
Rowles said he was genuinely honoured to join Mitre 10.
“A business built on strong values, deep community roots, and an ownership model that gives real meaning to partnership,” Rowles said.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out into stores, meeting members and teams, and learning what makes this co-operative so special. As a central Auckland resident, I regularly shop in several local stores and have seen first-hand the passion and care Mitre 10 teams bring to helping customers.”
Rowles said there was strong momentum behind the business, and with the foundations being strengthened through digital transformation, the business has great opportunity to harness the collective strength of the co-operative membership.
As general manager of retail and property for Foodstuffs North Island, Rowles led a $10.75 billion retail business overseeing 330 owner-operated stores and a 200-strong support team.
He will now take on Mitre 10’s business, consisting of 86 locally owned stores with 7400 staff.
Mitre 10 NZ board chairman Andrew Smith said the business was at a pivotal point in its journey.
“We need innovation, leadership, and courage to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. Lindsay is the right person to lead us through this next chapter, bringing strategic vision, proven results, and a great cultural fit for our co-operative,” Smith said.
The company’s chief legal and sustainability officer, Grant Fraser, will continue as interim chief executive until Rowles begins in March.
In the business’s last full-year result it reported a net loss of $27 million, a 72% improvement on 2024, and increased revenue by 12% to $300m.
Scown previously spoke about her plans for the business, highlighting the new stores opened in April and May in Christchurch and Wainuiomata, as well as the incoming central Wellington, northeast Christchurch and Pāpāmoa stores.
Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
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