Variety store group Woolworths has made high-level management changes at its entertainment supply business EUK and retail division in an effort to drive the business forward this year.

EUK managing director Lloyd Wigglesworth will step down from his position and retire from the main board. He will be succeeded by Steve Lewis, who is managing director for retail and distribution at Woolworths at present, as well as a main board director.

The retailer has also made two non-main board director appointments at its retail division. Simon Turner will join as retail and distribution operations director. He has previously held several senior positions at Tesco, including chief operating officer roles in South Korea, Hungary and Thailand.

Next month, Claire Tiney will join the group as group human resources director. She has held the role of human resources director at Mothercare, WHSmith and most recently Homeserve.

Woolworths Group chief executive Trevor Bish-Jones said: “This series of management changes will leave Woolworths Group better positioned as we move into 2008 determined to drive the business forward.

“EUK is now entering a different stage of its development, where the focus turns toward further improving customer service and enhancing operational efficiency. The new team is ideally suited to take EUK, now a substantial business with a strong market position, to the next phase of growth and to build on recent progress made in Woolworths.”