GREENCROSS HAS A NEW BOSS

GREENCROSS (ASX: GXL) has appointed a new CEO and managing director today.

The appointment follows the decision of current CEO, Jeffrey David, to step down effective immediately.

Martin Nicholas (pictured), currently the chief financial officer of Greencross, will take the reins of the vet business.

Prior to joining Greencross, Nicholas was the chief financial officer of private equity-owned education business Study Group International and served as group finance director of London Stock Exchange-listed Rentokil Initial PLS.

He has depth of experience in fast-moving consumer goods, an area he spent 22 years working in for Unilever across Asia, Australia and the UK.

Greencross chairman Stuart James says the company's succession plan allowed a swift executive shakeup, as David takes the opportunity to step down following a successful merger and integration of both the Mammoth Pet and City Farmers businesses.

"The board considers this an appropriate time to make such a change as the company embarks on its next phase of growth," says James.

"We thank Mr. David for his contribution at Greencross during his tenure as CEO.

"His strategic vision has been fundamental to the impressive growth of Greencross over the last 10 years, both as the executive chairman and founder of Mammoth Pet and as a director of Greencross."

Martin Nicholas says he will continue on the same path David has paved.

"Jeff David has established a strong platform for Greencross to execute its strategy of consolidating the fragmented veterinary services and expanding the reach of our pet goods stores and services through organic expansion in Australia and New Zealand," says Nicholas.