9 May 2002
Progressive Enterprises – New Chief Operating Officer
Richard Umbers has joined Progressive Enterprises Ltd as chief operating officer.
Richard (35) will have responsibility for the retail brands of Foodtown, Countdown and 3 Guys, along with their
supporting head office functions and will report to Progressive’s managing director, Ted van Arkel.
Mr van Arkel said Mr Umbers’ appointment reinforces the positive changes underway at Progressive. “The considerable
gains in sales and market share we’re achieving have put increasing pressure on the existing team and with our ambitious
plans for the future, Richard will add a top resource.”
Richard has worked in both the UK and Republic of Ireland and comes from the international retailer Aldi, where he was
managing director of a division in the UK. Prior to that he held director positions in property, product management and
operations with the company.
“Richard has worked in a fiercely competitive market place, and comes from a business with a real emphasis on the front
end and on the efficiency of all the support functions,” Mr van Arkel said.
Mr Umbers was born in the UK and is married with three children.
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