Dyer named chief of WWRE

Drug Store News, Sept 13, 2000

NEW YORK -- The WorldWide Retail Exchange late last month named Colin Dyer as its chief executive, effective Sept. 1. Dyer formerly was chief executive of Courtaulds Textiles, which was acquired in April by Sara Lee Corp.

Courtaulds is an international clothing and fabric company operating in 17 countries.

In his new role, Dyer will oversee the development of the WWRE's collaborative e-commerce platform, and build and sustain the organization's commercial and operating structure. In his capacity as chief executive, Dyer will also serve on the board of the exchange.

"Colin brings an ideal mix of strategic and operational credentials for leading the WorldWide Retail Exchange," said David Rickard, chairman of the WWRE's operating committee and executive vice president and chief financial officer of CVS. "He has proven international management expertise, extensive experience in managing global supply chain challenges, and a clear vision of the role technology will play in transforming retailing for the benefit of retailers, suppliers and ultimately consumers."

Appointed chief executive of Courtaulds in 1996, Dyer led a broad reorganization program, lowering the cost base of the business, and made a series of strategic acquisitions for the company.

With its newest members, which include the 1,400-store Boots The Chemists chain in the United Kingdom, the WWRE is composed of 32 retail companies from around the world. The WWRE is a Web-based business-to-business exchange designed to facilitate and simplify trading between retailers and more than 100,000 suppliers, partners and distributors.