TORONTO, Jan. 7 /CNW/ - Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation (TSX:SC) today announced that George Halatsis, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer will be leaving the Company later this month to pursue another career opportunity. The Company also announced today the appointment of Bradley Lukow as the Company's new Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Halatsis joined the Company as EVP & CFO in 2002 and has played an important role in the successful growth of the Company and its transformation to a broadly held major Canadian corporation. He will be supporting a smooth transition to Mr. Lukow, with whom he has worked closely since joining the Company.
Mr. Lukow brings extensive experience with Shoppers Drug Mart gained over 14 years in senior finance roles with the Company, as well as prior experience in the grocery retail industry. He joined Shoppers Drug Mart in 1994, and held roles of increasing responsibility in the finance department. He was promoted to Senior Vice President, Finance, in 2000. In 2001, as the most senior finance executive in the Company at the time, he led the highly successful initial public offering of Shoppers Drug Mart. Mr. Lukow is a Chartered Accountant and holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario.
Commenting on the transition, Jurgen Schreiber, President & Chief Executive Officer stated, "George has made a very solid contribution to our success at Shoppers Drug Mart over the past six years. Although we are sorry to see him leave, our strong succession plan in finance ensures we will have a smooth transition and continued strong leadership with Brad as our CFO".
About Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation
Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation is one of the most recognized and trusted names in Canadian retailing. The Company is the licensor of full-service retail drug stores operating under the name Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix in Quebec). With more than 1,120 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores operating in prime locations in each province and two territories, the Company is one of the most convenient retailers in Canada. The Company also licenses or owns more than 25 medical clinic pharmacies operating under the name Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Pharmaprix Simplement Sante in Quebec) and two luxury beauty destinations operating as Murale. As well, the Company owns and operates 66 Shoppers Home Health Care stores, making it the largest Canadian retailer of home health care products and services. In addition to its retail store network, the Company owns Shoppers Drug Mart Specialty Health Network Inc., a provider of specialty drug distribution, pharmacy and comprehensive patient support services, and MediSystem Technologies Inc., a provider of pharmaceutical products and services to long-term care facilities in Ontario and Alberta.
Additional information about the Company, including the Annual Information Form, can be found at www.sedar.com.
