Walmart-controlled Massmart has appointed Guy Hayward, chief financial officer since 2001, as chief operating officer. He reports to chief executive Grant Pattison. Group finance executive Ilan Zwarenstein succeeds Hayward as chief financial officer. Zwarenstein has also been appointed to the board and the Massmart executive committee.

The retailer said Pattison would focus on the company’s strategic growth priorities for South Africa and the sub-Saharan region, including implementation of Massmart’s food retail strategy. Pattison will remain chairman of the Massmart executive committee and all the divisional boards.