Ryman Healthcare appoints retail executive Richard Umbers as new chief

Tuesday, 7 September 2021

Ryman Healthcare named Richard Umbers as its new chief executive.

Ryman Healthcare, the country’s largest retirement village, named Richard Umbers as its new chief executive.

Umbers will move from Melbourne to Christchurch to take up the role on October 25, the company said in a statement to the NZX.

His most recent roles were as divisional director of buying at German supermarket chain Kaufland, and managing director of retailer Myer in Australia. He has also held senior roles at Woolworths in Australia and was managing director of Progressive Enterprises in New Zealand, now trading as Countdown supermarkets. Earlier in his career he held senior leadership roles with Australia Post and Aldi in Europe.

Ryman chairman David Kerr said Umbers brings a wealth of experience in leading growth and innovation at large organisations with a strong customer focus.

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Ryman owns and operates 43 retirement villages in New Zealand and Victoria, Australia, with 12,750 residents. It has 13 sites under construction in New Zealand and Australia.

Umbers will replace Gordon MacLeod who announced in May that he planned to stand down after 15 years in senior roles at the company.

Shares in Ryman slipped 0.4 per cent to $15.73 shortly after the NZX opened at 10am. The stock has gained 15 per cent over the past year.