Chairman Shufersal Itzik Aberhahn announced the appointment of Uri Waterman as CEO of the company, after Ofer Bloch’s term ended.
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● From the appointment to the dismissal: what really happened between Ofer Bloch and Shufersal
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“Perhaps this is the healthiest thing a business can have,” said a senior industry official. “Abercrombie returned to a ship that sailed well for a decade, and his return as chairman could be the thing that creates a good basis for the continuity of processes in which he started, as long as it is managed correctly. This is something that is very uncharacteristic of the Israeli form of management, usually appointing a new chairman who turns the whole history. There is nothing to mourn Shufersal. The best CEO Shufersal has become has become chairman. Every company would want such a chairman who can Lead the company. The market trusts Itzik. If necessary he will allow Lutherman freedom, and if it goes in a direction he does not believe in he will not give freedom. And we must remember that the challenges facing him during this period are not simple. “
Waterman (48) took over the position of CEO of Be, the pharma chain that Shufersal established on the ruins of New Pharm, about five years ago. Sales turnover of NIS 14.8 billion.
The appointment will allow Abercrombie to be more dominant
Waterman was not the first choice. Even before Aberkhan was elected to return to the chain he left about eight months ago, the man who was to head Shufersal was Uri Kilstein, who was appointed head of Carrefour in Israel last month and previously served as deputy CEO of Shufersal and vice president of the chain’s trade and marketing. Kilstein is considered a valued manager and very close to Abercrombie, and one of the allegations made against Bloch by the board was that he considers Bloch responsible for Kilstein not being appointed to the position of retail operations manager and moving to a competitor.
Waterman’s name came up as a promising candidate immediately afterwards, partly because Lutherman has a deep acquaintance with Shufersal, the management and employees and of course the chairman, and there is a relationship of trust between them. And put her back in place at the top of the industry, after a year of upheavals and shocks.
In a 2019 interview with Globes, close to taking over as Be’s manager, Waterman was asked how much managerial freedom he would have. “We are a subsidiary,” he replied. “We influence and are influenced by Shufersal and are part of the group’s strategy. Itzik Aberkhan, CEO of Shufersal, is the chairman of Be and he is my boss.”
“Uri Waterman led the establishment of the Be chain and has been managing it successfully for about five years. Waterman has led strategic moves and excellent business achievements, a chain that has lost for more than 25 years, changed its face and become a well-known and significant brand in Israel,” said Aberkhan, chairman Shufersal Group.
“I believe on behalf of the board and on my behalf that the appointment of Uri Waterman will lead to significant organizational moves, will contribute greatly to the company’s continued growth and establishment as a leading company in Israel in the coming years. I am convinced that thanks to his abilities In a competitive and challenging environment. “
Waterman said: “I am happy and excited that I was chosen to lead the leading food retail group in Israel. This is a challenge and I believe that together with the company’s board, management, and excellent employees of the Shufersal Group we will improve Shufersal’s growth potential, face competition and challenges. The core areas and to be the first choice of every home in Israel. On this occasion, I would like to thank the chairman and members of the board, for the trust and choice of me as CEO of Shufersal.
For the past decade, Waterman has served as 012 CEO of Partner, CEO of SkyVision and CEO of Be. He holds a master’s degree with honors from the Hebrew University of Business Administration, and was a fighter and commander in the elite unit of Sheldag. Waterman previously served as space manager at Leumi Card, when it was established, as the customer department manager at Pelephone and from there moved to Internet Gold, where he remained for nine years, until 2014.
“We will have to reinvent ourselves”
In a letter sent to Shufersal employees, Waterman wrote, “I am proud and excited to address you for the first time as CEO of the largest and leading retail group in Israel. About five years ago, after a string of senior positions in communications companies, I had the privilege of joining the group as the first CEO of the BE network.
“I knew closely the effort and dedication of every employee in the Shufersal family, in the branches and at headquarters, especially during a period of national and global medical crisis that we did not know. Even then we proved once again what and why Shufersal is the first choice of every home in Israel. But it’s already behind us, it’s time to stretch our waists and climb new peaks together.
“Great challenges lie ahead, if it is competition – and competition is a welcome thing that requires us to stay alert and improve for the benefit of the consumer public, and if it is the global and Israeli economy saturated with question marks. I have no doubt that along with development of growth Ours, we will once again know how to rise to the size of the hour and faithfully serve Israeliness and Israelis.
“We will have to reinvent ourselves, discover new strengths in ourselves and constantly continue to develop and innovate for our customers. I would like to thank the members of the board for the trust they have placed in me and look forward to joining forces and writing together – management, employees and partners – another chapter in Shufersal’s.”