Grant Froese comes out of retirement

Former Loblaw executive Grant Froese has come out of retirement to join Hamilton-based Marquee Health Group, which according to a press release, is "in the late stages of the regulatory approval process to offer regulated cannabis therapies."

As chief executive officer, Froese will oversee "all operations, marketing and financial reporting for the company in the emerging regulated cannabis therapy industry," according to a media advisory announcing his hire. Froese was unavailable for comment.

“Grant’s leadership experience and ability to manage a complex business in an evolving operating environment is a significant benefit to Marquee Health and our growth,” said Marquee’s co-founder Paul Bernier, in a statement. “Our future success is based on our ability to ensure a superior end-to-end experience for the consumer, an efficient and scalable supply chain and a supportive industry that is relentlessly focused on safety and quality."

Froese was with Loblaw for 38 years. He started as a grocery clerk in Winnipeg in 1978. He held a number of positions at the company, overseeing such functions as marketing, merchandising, IT, supply chain, off-shore procurement and e-commerce.

He was promoted to chief operating officer in 2014, when executive chairman Galen G. Weston announced he would take on a greater leadership role at the family-run company.

At the time of his retirement, Loblaw said Froese would be turning "his attention to his family and the pursuit of other entrepreneurial interests."