Coles has appointed Tony Buffin as finance director. He joins the supermarket chain from Groupe Aeroplan, where he was chief financial officer from 2006 to 2008 before becoming managing director of the international loyalty management corporation.
Before joining Groupe Aeroplan, Buffin was group financial controller of Boots, one of the UK’s largest retailers, and headed Boots’ international healthcare strategy team.
He started his career as an accountant with Ernst & Young before joining children’s retailer Mothercare plc.
“Tony has extensive retail, finance and business development experience in the UK and Europe,” said McLeod. “I am confident he will make an outstanding contribution as part of the new management team towards the turnaround of Coles.”
He will transfer from London to Melbourne in July 2009.
Buffin is the latest appointment to the new Coles management team under Ian McLeod, replacing Terry Bowen, who was promoted to Wesfarmers finance director earlier this month.