Sobeys names chief corporate development officer

Empire Company Limited announced Paul Beesley, previously the executive VP & CFO of Empire, has been appointed chief corporate development officer for Sobeys Inc.

Beesley (photo, right) will support the CEO in the development of strategic initiatives and growth opportunities.

A release said Beesley played "an instrumental role in the company's recent acquisition of Canada Safeway."

In other news, François Vimard has been appointed chief financial officer for Empire Company Limited.

Both appointments are effective immediately.

Vimard will continue in his role as the executive VP, Sobeys Inc. where he has responsibility for the company's finance, information technology, distribution & logistics, real estate and legal functions.

Stewart Mahoney will lead the treasury and investor relations functions for both Empire and Sobeys.

These appointments reflect the continued streamlining of the company's organizational structure to "reflect its transition to an operationally-focused grocery retailer with related real estate interests," said the release.

In October 2013, it was announced that Marc Poulin would be the CEO of both Empire Company Limited and Sobeys Inc.