Kiwi comes home for senior HR role

News release
March 29, 2006

Kiwi comes home for senior HR role

Aston Moss has had no trouble hitting the ground running in his new role as general manager of human resources at Progressive Enterprises Ltd.

He comes to New Zealand fresh from a senior HR role with Woolworths Limited in Australia, PEL’s new parent company following its sale by Foodlands last year.

Even better, he brings with him experience as a former head of HR for Woolworths New Zealand prior to its acquisition by Progressive in 2002 as well as wide operational experience in the industry.

It all stands him in good stead for his duties at PEL where Moss is working across all areas of a business and which, with almost 19,000 staff, is one of the country’s biggest employers.

Moss’ initial focus is on ensuring HR practices and resources are aligned with business needs.

“As a support function our role is to help improve the quality of the shopping experience or at least make it easier and more efficient. We can do that working with team members throughout the business.”

Moss moved to Australia in February 2004 to take up his Woolworths Ltd role.

“Having the last couple of years with Woolworths in Australia has been of immense benefit and enables me to play a meaningful role in the merging the HR activities of the two businesses.”

Moss has a Master of Philosophy in management studies and labour relations from Auckland University and began his career in grocery in 1992 as a management trainee at Woolworths New Zealand.

Ten years later he was director of HR. He has worked with a number of retail businesses in HR, both here and overseas, as well as in a significant line management role with SkyCity.

“Certainly, the excitement and the challenge of this role within PEL, working for a successful and future-focused business in an area where I have a great deal of experience was attractive as is the opportunity for our family to return home, to our family and friends.”

So what are the HR challenges here in New Zealand?

“Our role is to assist the business in attracting, developing, rewarding and retaining people who contribute to the performance of the business. It’s our people who make the difference.”

Aston Moss started with PEL in early March and is based at the company’s head office in Mangere, Auckland.

ENDS

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