Latest news with #Jegen
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
B&M appoints former Tesco executive as new CEO
UK variety goods retailer B&M European Value Retail has appointed former Tesco executive Tjeerd Jegen as its new CEO to drive growth and transformation. Jegen succeeds Mike Schmidt, currently serving as interim CEO, on 16 June 2025. B&M chair Tiffany Hall stated: "I am delighted to welcome Tjeerd to B&M. He is a highly talented international business leader with in-depth retail experience gained in Europe, Asia and Australasia across the grocery, general merchandise and value sectors. In a rigorous recruitment process, Tjeerd stood out from a strong list of candidates due to his strategic insight, customer-centric approach and strong track record of driving growth and transformation." Jegen's career began at Ahold Delhaize where he acquired significant expertise in food retail in the Netherlands and Central Europe. During his 25 years career, he has served as CEO at Metro Group in Romania and held senior leadership positions at Tesco in Thailand and Malaysia. Jegen also served as CEO at HEMA, a Dutch value variety chain, in 2015. He said: "I'm honoured to join one of Europe's leading value retailers at such a pivotal time. Value retail plays a crucial role in the lives of millions of consumers, and I'm passionate about working with the team to drive growth through great products, operational excellence, and a strong customer focus." In a separate development, B&M opened a new store in Hexham, Tyne Valley. The company took over a former Homebase location and transitioned to a larger site following an extensive refurbishment. The new establishment offers more than 17,000ft² of retail space and a 6,373ft² garden centre. This expansion has created 20 local jobs. the new B&M store's manager stated: 'We're feeling extremely positive about the creation of more jobs for local people, and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store.' "B&M appoints former Tesco executive as new CEO" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Chicago Tribune
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
‘Not too cold': Special Olympics supporters take the plunge at Valparaiso University
With temperatures around 30 degrees on Saturday, almost 100 brave Special Olympic athletes, coaches, students and community volunteers took the Polar Plunge at Valparaiso University. 'To see the community, the campus and the athletes come together for something like this, it's special to me,' said Chuck Garber, chairman of the local event and Valparaiso University's police chief, who brought the Polar Plunge to VU 15 years ago. 'My dad was a special needs school bus driver and when he got sick, I took over for him for a short time,' said Garber. 'That definitely inspired me to start working with Special Olympics.' 'Special Olympics teaches sports but it also teaches so much more in so far as leadership, and taking these athletes out of their shell, helping them with their life skills,' said Garber. 'People can really take a lesson from the Special Olympics athletes, ' said Garber. 'They don't see color, they don't see heavy or thin, it just doesn't matter, and we could all take note of that.' Paul Jegen of Chesterton has been a Special Olympics basketball, swimming and golf coach for 11 years. Jegen's son, Richard, 19, is a Special Olympics athlete. Jegen was plunging as part of his team, the Polar Bear Misfits. 'It's an honor to help fundraise for this worthy cause that has had a profound impact on so many lives, ours included,' said Jegen. Garnett Kirk, of Cedar Lake, and area director of Special Olympics Indiana, raised over $5,500.00 for the plunge. 'I get it out there by texting, emailing and using social media, besides being pretty outspoken about the cause,' said Kirk of his fundraising efforts. 'And there's a little bit of twisting arms.' 'It means so much to me to see these athletes compete and get medals, and I get the privilege of watching them grow throughout the years,' said Kirk. Special Olympics athlete Blake Anderson, 24, of Hebron, said he is a 5-year plunger. 'I play basketball, volleyball, bowling, softball and soccer,' said Anderson, who noted that bowling is his favorite. Anderson also got to carry the Special Olympics torch from the Hilltop Gym outside to the Polar Plunge pool where he was one of the first plungers. 'It was good,' said Anderson. 'Not too cold.' In its 26th year, the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics has generated more than $12 million for Special Olympics Indiana. Last year, more than 3,400 plungers raised $1.6 million. Saturday's event in Valparaiso raised $42,589.19. 'The funds go toward providing more than 19,000 athletes statewide with the opportunity to train and compete in more than 20 sports,' said Joe Frollo, director of marketing and communications for Special Olympics Indiana. 'This is a bucket list event that naturally brings together people from all backgrounds, highlighting the interests and values we share,' said Frollo. Around 30 members of the Valparaiso University football team came to plunge as part of a fundraising group, including Alex Goworowski, a junior from Chicago, who has been doing the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics since he was a senior in high school when he plunged into Lake Michigan for the cause. 'I really appreciate this event because I have been blessed with my physical abilities, and giving that gift of sport to help others is always a great feeling,' said Goworowski. 'The Polar Plunge brings the community together to benefit a great cause,' said Frollo. 'Any time individuals with and without intellectual abilities gather at the same event, it offers an opportunity for awareness and acceptance.' Special Olympics Indiana receives no state or federal funds for the sports training and events that take place year-round, relying on the generosity of volunteers and donors. To get involved or to find out more information, visit
