said the timing of the change was “not ideal”, but he insisted MacPherson’s departure would not hurt the company’s performance, outlook or affect its savings targets. Hooper said sales for December and early January continued to show strength and he reaffirmed Sigma’s existing underlying full-year earnings guidance of between $46 million and $47 million. The company has commenced an external search for a new chief financial officer to lead the finance team through our ongoing business transformation and cultural change program. MacPherson had been Sigma’s CFO since 2016. Former Sigma CFO Jeff Sells will fill the role on an acting basis in conjunction with his current duties as the executive general manager of retail pharmacy. Sigma – which also owns the Discount Drug Store brand – reported an  81.2 per cent decline in half-year profit to $2.52 million back in September after revealing in March it would close distribution centres and shed 500 jobs after losing the My Chemist-Chemist Warehouse supply deal. Klarna appoints Australasia GM Global payment provider Klarna has appointed a general manager for Australia and New Zealand following its announcement in late 2019 that it will launch in Australia this year. Francine Ereira will lead the business’s launch in Australia and oversee daily operations and expansion across the region, commencing on February 3. Late last year, Klarna announced it would enter into an exclusive partnership with the Commonwealth Bank to launch Klarna in Australia and New Zealand. The payment provider offers a buy now, pay later solution that is used by H&M among other retailers. Ereira has been in senior roles at some of Australia’s most prominent retail and technology companies including The Walt Disney Company, Sheridan, eWave and Temando. Her most recent role is a senior executive at Zip Co.