End of a 15-year era for Pick n Pay
Pick n Pay has confirmed the retirement of its chief financial officer, Lerena Oliver, following the conclusion of the group’s AGM held on Thursday (6 August).
The group announced Oliver’s retirement at the end of 2025, noting at the time that Tina Rookledge would succeed her in the role.
The Board thanked Olivier for her significant contribution to the company and the Pick n Pay Group during her tenure, and wished her well in her future endeavours.
Olivier took up the role of CFO in September 2019, succeeding former finance boss Bakar Jakoet, who had held the position for 34 years.
She had previously served as the head of Group Financial Reporting at Pick n Pay since 2011, marking her exit this week as the end of 15 years at the company.
She was previously at competing retailer, Shoprite, for a decade, serving as a group financial accountant between 2001 and 2011, having started out as an audit manager at PwC between 1998 and 2001.
Olivier led the finance function during a turbulent time at the group. This included a significant transitional period where the Ackerman family bowed out of its controlling role.
She also worked under different CEOs, including Richard Brasher, Pieter Boone, and, most recently, Sean Summers.
Following disastrous strategies under former CEOs, Summers and Olivier have had the difficult task of turning Pick n Pay’s fortunes around.
These efforts have now started to bear fruit for the company, with a slow but progressive strategy now in place, narrowing losses and rightsizing the group.
Olivier leaves the company on firmer footing, paving the way for her successor to continue the path forward.
Rookledge, who is CFO effective 6 August, joined the Group with effect from 1 February 2026, as part of the group’s planned leadership succession process.
She is a qualified Chartered Accountant (South Africa) and has extensive financial, operational and leadership experience, gained across large listed and multinational organisations.
“The board is confident that Ms Rookledge’s experience and leadership will support the continued execution of the group’s strategic priorities and the ongoing turnaround and long-term growth of the business,” Pick n Pay said.
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