Metro EVP/COO Departs

Robert Sawyer, EVP and COO at Metro Inc. since April 2009, is leaving the corporation to become president and CEO of a company operating in another sector, the Montreal-based food and drug retailer said. According to a published report, Sawyer will become president and CEO at Rona Inc., Canada's largest home-improvement retailer., based in Boucherville, Quebec.

“Mr. Sawyer has played an important role in the success of Metro over the past 33 years, and it’s with regret that we learned of his decision to accept a new challenge with another company,” noted Metro president and CEO Eric La Flèche. “We thank him for his contribution and wish him well in his new position.”

In fulfillment of Metro’s succession plan, the heads of the Quebec and Ontario divisions will now report to La Flèche. The COO position won’t be filled.

Metro operates a network of more than 600 food stores in Québec and Ontario under such banners as Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, in addition to more than 250 drug stores under the trade names Brunet, The Pharmacy and Drug Basics.