By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK – The Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group of Companies has appointed Norbert Wurm as Managing Director of Pick n Pay Namibia, effective January 01, 2015.
Wurm has held the position of Financial Director at Pick n Pay Namibia since July 2014 and has been involved with the O&L Group for the past five years.
Wurm, who takes over from Henry Feris, is qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte Namibia in 2005, and worked for Deloitte International in New York, Luxembourg and London, where he gained extensive experience in the manufacturing industry and global financial markets as an Audit Manager. While at Deloitte London, he inter alia was audit manager for large global clients, involved in stock exchange listings, a financial instruments specialist, and was a training facilitator for Deloitte. His time overseas gave him valuable insights into global financial markets, large diverse companies and international standards.
He joined Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) in June 2009 as compliance manager and described this as an exciting time. He subsequently moved on to the role of Strategic Planning & Decision Support Manager at NBL and after that to Model Pick n Pay as Financial Director in July 2013.
“The journey at Pick n Pay so far was a very fulfilling one: there was tremendous growth in F14, supported by great people across the board. PnP, with its large employee base, depends significantly on their commitment to the company’s success. This commitment has enabled us to achieve a tremendous F14 result and has set us up for the exciting growth that lies ahead,” said Wurm.
He added that he is excited about the new challenge and leading Pick n Pay into a new era.
“I value the trust placed in me by the O&L Group Leadership and I am truly humbled by the responsibility that comes with my new role. The future is in our hands and we aim to continue our quest for retail excellence and providing exceptional shopping experiences to Namibians”, added Wurm.
Sven Thieme, Executive Chairman of the O&L Group of Companies congratulated Wurm on his appointment, saying: “I am extremely proud to see yet another O&L leader stepping up to new challenges, and I am confident that under Norbert’s leadership, the Pick n Pay Namibia team will continue to produce amazing results, ensuring we not only deliver on our ambitious expansion plans, but continue to provide our customers with the most amazing shopping experience, wherever we are.”
Henry Feris – Wurm’s predecessor, is to embark on a new career after having served the O&L Group of Companies for almost 20 years. Feris wished Wurm all the best in his new role and thanked the O&L Group for the many fond memories. O&L Executive Chairman, Sven Thieme thanked Feris for his “years of dedicated service to the O&L Group and for the positive and valued contribution he has made in the transformation of one of Namibia’s leading retailers, Pick n Pay.”