Gareth Ackerman, Therese Gearhart as co-chairs of CGCSA

Gareth Ackerman, new CGCSA co-chair

"Our two previous co-chairs, former Massmart CE Grant Pattison and Chairman and MD of Nestlé South Africa Sullivan O'Caroll, did a superb job in a year of significant activity in the retail sector. We'd like to thank them for their role in developing the CGCSA as a credible consumer-facing and issues-based consumer packaged goods industry association," says CGCSA CE Gwarega Mangozhe.

"In Gearhart, we have an established professional with 25 years of international experience in general management, marketing and sales, who now heads up the Southern African operation of one of the world's most valuable brands. Ackerman brings wide-ranging local and international experience and is Chairman of one of South Africa's most admired and respected companies, acting also as Vice Co-chair of the global Consumer Goods Forum.

Both are also established professionals in consumer issues management and they are extremely well placed to take the council into the next phase of its development."