New Metcash CEO to use his diverse skills THE new chief executive of independent retailer Metcash says he will talk to his customers and suppliers before implementing a strategic plan for further growth. Ian Morrice, a head of a New Zealand discounter, has been appointed chief executive of Metcash replacing Andrew Reitzer who announced his intention to retire on June 30. Mr Morrice said he would spend the next few months getting to know all aspects of the Metcash business before deciding the direction of the company. "I'm going to spend some time now getting to know our team and our customers and our key suppliers and really getting an overall view of the current plans and strategies," he told AAP. And then in two or three months I'll spend more time with the executive team talking to them about the next stage of our strategic plan. I'm sure we'll be continuing some of the things we're already doing. I hope we'll also have one or two things we'll develop, which will make things even better. Metcash distributes groceries to independent stores and owns the IGA supermarket chain and Mitre 10 hardware business. "Our role is at the forefront of championing independent retailers and that's not going to change," Mr Morrice said. Mr Morrice was group chief executive and managing director of New Zealand's Warehouse Group from 2004 to 2011, before joining the Metcash board in June 2012. Warehouse Group is similar to Walmart in the United States and sells household, electrical and clothing goods. He has also worked as a managing director and senior executive at several retailers in the United Kingdom. "Metcash is exposed to a number of different categories and because of that diversity there's a lot of skills I can utilise from my 30 odd years in retail," he said. Mr Reitzer said after 15 years on the job it was time to hand over the reins but was proud of how the company has lifted independent retailers during his leadership. "The independent sector when I started 15 years ago was on its way out and now it's a vibrant sector," he said. I have the best job in Australia, creating wealth for Australian family businesses. Mr Morrice's fixed annual salary will be $1.5 million and will be eligible for annual incentives worth another $1.5 million.