Pejman Okhovat has been appointed the new MD of Big W, replacing David Walker who Woolworths Group has made its new chief risk officer.  

Okhovat will join Woolworths Group from The Warehouse Group in New Zealand, where he was COO. He has an extensive background in non-food retail both in New Zealand and the UK.

Reporting to Claire Peters in her new group role as MD, B2B and Everyday Needs Okhovat will start his new role in the final quarter of the current financial year. In the interim, Big W GM of commercial, Teresa Rendo, will step in as acting MD.

Meanwhile, as Woolworths’ new chief risk officer, Walker will be responsible for Woolworths’ risk and compliance strategy, the evolution of risk management frameworks and oversight of risk, according to the company.

“I am pleased that someone of David’s calibre will be stepping into this new role,” said Brad Banducci, CEO of Woolworths Group. “For the last four years, David and his leadership team have led the successful turnaround of Big W by building a strong purpose-led culture that has culminated in the business’s return to profitability this year.

“David’s mindset, knowledge, experience and his background in finance and audit give him the ideal skills to step into this important new role for the group.”