Foodstuffs South Island (FSSI) CEO Mary Devine will step down at the end of this year, concluding a five-year tenure.
Devine has led the cooperative since November 2021, after serving as a director beginning in 2018. Before taking the helm at Foodstuffs, she was MD at Hallenstein Glasson Holdings.
FSSI chair Marcel Gray says Devine oversaw a significant transformation during her time as CEO and helped reset the co-operative’s strategic direction while navigating a new regulatory environment.
“With Mary as CEO, we have delivered fundamental changes to our core technology and operating model, developed and executed a new strategic direction, and responded to increased regulation and scrutiny with confidence and integrity.
“Mary’s impact on the culture of our organisation over that time can’t be understated. Her people-first leadership has brought positive change to many of our ways of working, with a relentless focus on excellence,” Gray added.
Devine said it “feels like the right time” to make this transition as the co‑op enters its next stage.
“The ethos of the co-operative has always resonated with me. At its heart, Foodstuffs South Island is about people with a deep and enduring commitment to feeding the South Island and serving South Island communities.
“I am incredibly proud of what our team and store owner operators have achieved together,” she said.
Devine said she remains focused on leading Foodstuffs South Island through the rest of the year and supporting a smooth transition to new leadership.
The board will search for her replacement during the coming months.
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