Woolworths finance chief Tom Pockett to step down in 2014 WOOLWORTHS finance director Tom Pockett is to step down next year, the retail giant has announced. Mr Pockett will retire from the finance role in February and will step down from the board in July, the group told shareholders at today's annual meeting. He will be replaced by the group's general manager of corporate finance David Marr, who has been with the company for two years. Woolworths chairman Ralph Waters said Mr Pockett has announced his desire to step down more than a year ago, but had been persuaded to stay in the role during a "critical time" in Woolworths' transformation. "Tom has been a fantastic asset to Woolworths and has made a significant contribution to the growth of the business in the past, as well as playing a critical role in positioning the company for growth in the future," Mr Waters said. We thank him and wish him and his family well for the future. Woolworths chief Grant O'Brien said Mr Pockett's financial stewardship had been pivotal to the success of the group for more than a decade. "While he has been the chief financial officer we have seen remarkable growth," Mr O'Brien said More importantly, the structures he has put in place, the team he has built and the principles he has set in stone will ensure that Tom's contribution to Woolworths' well-being will go on indefinitely. Mr Pockett said he had enjoyed his time in the role. "It has been a privilege to have been the chief financial officer and finance director of this proudly Australian company," he said Woolworths shares were up 0.3 per cent at $34.05 this afternoon.