GREENVILLE, SC - The search is over.

News has broken that Bi-Lo has named Ian McLeod its new President and CEO, effective March 2nd, 2015. He joins Bi-Lo after more than 7 years as Managing Director for the Australian retail group Coles. As Managing Director he lead the turnaround for the retail chain after its purchase by Wesfarmers Group, gaining experience that Bi-Lo valued highly during its search for a new chief executive.

“Ian is a proven leader with more than 30 years of expertise and a strong track record of driving profitable growth,” explained Bi-Lo Holdings' Board of Directors. “In his time running over 2,200 Coles food, liquor and convenience stores, which employs 100,000 associates across Australia and includes over 760 full-service supermarkets, he led a major turnaround in that business, improving the quality and value of products as well as the service and store standards offered to customers. Ian significantly increased sales from AUD$28.8 billion to AUD$37.4 billion (USD$23.2 billion to USD$35.2 billion), doubling profits (earnings before interest and tax) during six years and outperforming in the market for 20 consecutive quarters. We are confident he will be instrumental in driving continued growth and success at Bi-Lo Holdings as we execute our strategy and work to further enhance our customers’ shopping experience.”

"The BI-LO, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery store brands have a strong history and today serve our customers through the efforts of over 70,000 hardworking employees; I am excited to move to the U.S. and join the team at this important time,” McLeod replied. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to help build upon Bi-Lo Holdings’ reputation by serving our loyal customers even better, attracting new customers through great quality and value and further strengthening our competitive position within the industry.”

In addition to his experience with the Wesfarmers Group, McLeod has also served as CEO of Halfords Group Plc, as a key member of the U.K. Management Board for ASDA, and as a member of the Executive Board of Wal-Mart Germany.

According to a press release, McLeod received his education at the Harvard Business School, where he attended its AMP program in 1999. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Scotland in 2010 for services to Business and Retail.

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