New MD appointed as Topaz and Couche-Tard deal agreed

New MD appointed as Topaz and Couche-Tard deal agreed

Niall Anderton has been appointed Topaz Energy’s new managing director following today’s European Commission approval of its sale to a Canadian retail giant.

Alimentation Couche-Tard and Topaz announced the acquisition on December 2, with the deal subject to competition considerations by the EU Commission.

However, on Monday, Topaz confirmed the deal had been approved, and that Niall Anderton, formerly the chief financial officer (CFO) of Topaz, would be its new managing director.

The appointment follows Topaz’s earlier announcement that outgoing MD Emmet O’Neil would step down on the completion of the deal after just one year in the top post.

Anderton joined Topaz as CFO in early 2015. Topaz described the new MD as having a “strong retail background”, having held senior executive positions in Primark, O2 and Brown Thomas.

Speaking shortly after accepting the appointment, Mr Anderton said: “It’s a tremendous honour to be given this responsibility.

“We have a really exciting and ambitious agenda ahead, completing the integration of the Esso business here in Ireland and our integration into the wider Couche-Tard family, while always maintaining our focus on our customers and partners.

“Couche-Tard is an exceptional company which is committed to becoming the world’s preferred convenience and fuel retailer. I believe its presence in Ireland will bring significant benefits to consumers.

“I’m really looking forward to leading this business over the coming years and to meeting all our partners and dealers and, most importantly, our customers.”

Jørn Madsen, Couche-Tard’s EVP for Central and Eastern Europe and responsible for their business in Ireland said: “We are very pleased to have closed the transaction in such a timely manner and are ready to shift our focus to fully integrating Topaz into the Couche-Tard family.

“We are particularly pleased that Niall will take over as the leader of our business in Ireland. We have been working closely with Niall over the last few months and we are certain that he is the right person to lead Topaz through the next phase of its development.”