Spar Guild backs Phil Roux for Spar chair hot seat

The directors of the Spar Guild of Southern Africa have expressed their support for Phil Roux to become the chair of the board, stating that he has also received backing from major shareholders. This announcement was made in a letter sent on September 10 to interim Spar chair Lwazi Koyana by the guild leaders. The letter highlights the guild's influence and welcomes the resignations of chair Mike Bosman and deputy chair Shirley Zinn, attributing their decision to a disagreement with the guild and alleged threats.

The guild believes the appointment of a new chair is an opportunity to align the interests of retailers and the Spar board, and has recommended two additional board members, Conrad Isaacs and Kevin O'Brien, who have been previously in conflict with the board over its composition. Phil Roux, the recommended candidate, has over 30 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, including leadership roles at Nampak, Pioneer Foods, Tiger Brands, and Coca-Cola Sabco Africa.

The guild's support for Roux is based on his extensive turnaround and operational experience across major listed companies and the retail sector. However, the guild does not endorse the current executive team, expressing a desire to rebuild their relationship and participate constructively in Spar's improvement.