PnP chair first African to lead global consumer body

Cape Town – Pick n Pay chairperson Gareth Ackerman was elected as the new co-chair of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) on Thursday in New York during the body’s annual summit.

The body encourages the global adoption of practices and standards that serves the consumer goods industry worldwide.

“I am delighted to have been elected co-chair of the Consumer Goods Forum,” Ackerman said in a statement.

“Bringing together 400 businesses in 70 countries, with combined sales in excess of €2.5trn, the forum has a unique opportunity to harness the power of consumers to improve the lives of people across the globe.   

“I am particularly excited to be the first co-chair from Africa, home to the world’s fastest-growing population.

“It is a continent of huge challenges yet almost limitless opportunity,” he said.

"The CGF is stronger for its African businesses and Africa will benefit from the work that the world’s best consumer businesses are leading on sustainability, health, product safety and our value chain and many other areas.”

Ackerman has been the non-executive chairperson of Pick n Pay Stores since March 2010, after his father Raymond Ackerman handed over the baton.