STELLARTON, NS – Rob Sobey, who has led Lawtons Drugs as President & CEO for the past eight years, has announced his intention to retire effective January 31, 2014. Mr. Sobey will continue to serve on the Board of Directors of Empire Company Limited.
"As part of Sobeys Inc.'s succession planning process, Rob informed me a number of months ago of his personal decision to retire as President & CEO of Lawtons and devote more time to his outside business and philanthropic interests," said Marc Poulin, President & CEO, Sobeys Inc.
Mr. Poulin continued: "I would like to take this opportunity to offer my thanks to Rob for his leadership in contributing to the Company's success throughout his 32-year career with Sobeys, of which 25 years was as a full-time employee. Rob's leadership and efforts over the past eight years have transformed Lawtons into a leading pharmacy retailer and home health care provider in Atlantic Canada and have contributed to Sobeys' overall success during that period of time. I look forward to continuing to work with him as he remains an active member of the Board of Directors of Empire Company."
As part of this planned transition, Sobeys Inc. today announced the appointment of Vivek Sood as General Manager, Lawtons Drugs. He will report to Mr. Poulin.
Mr. Sood has served in a variety of progressively senior merchandizing and finance roles both with Sobeys Inc. and Empire Company Limited since joining Sobeys in 2000. For the past four years he has served in leadership positions within Lawtons, most recently as Senior Vice President.
"Vivek is well positioned to assume the leadership of Lawtons having spent the last four years with the organization overseeing critical areas of the business. I look forward to working with Vivek to continue to build upon Lawtons' success and drive the business forward," said Mr. Poulin.
About Sobeys Inc.
Proudly Canadian, with headquarters in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Sobeys has been serving the food shopping needs of Canadians for 106 years. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited (TSX:EMP.A), Sobeys owns or franchises more than 1,500 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, and Lawton's Drug Stores as well as more than 330 retail fuel locations. Sobeys and its franchise affiliates employ more than 124,000 people. The company's goal is to be widely recognized as the best food retailer and workplace environment in Canada. More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeyscorporate.com.
Source: Sobeys Inc.
