Woolworths CEO Roy Bagattini accepts the award for Company of the Year. News24 Editor-in-Chief Adriaan Basson presented the award.
Woolworths was named News24’s inaugural Company of the Year at a gala event in Cape Town on Thursday evening.
Woolworths CEO Roy Bagattini said: “What we accomplished and what we continue to do and the progress we continue to make – particularly with a focus to make things better for the customers – is a credit to the Woolies team members across the organisation.”
Bagattini says that all employees – those on the frontline and those in distribution centres and supply partners – show up every day and that is what makes the “Woolies difference possible”.
He said receiving the award is also humbling. “There are so many great companies in this country, that every day do what they do to make a difference. They too deserve acknowledgement.” He added that companies in South Africa can easily go “toe to toe” with the “best of them out there”.
The News24 Business Awards were designed to recognise companies and CEOs who are doing excellent work in building their businesses, while also going above and beyond in communication, transparency and contributing to South Africa.
The News24 Business team of journalists assessed JSE-listed companies that delivered strong shareholder returns over the medium term, weighted for the past year.
From a short list of contenders, fund managers and analysts were interviewed to get their views on companies that delivered in terms of strategy and execution.
“This was debated by our team of journalists as well, who also assessed companies’ transparency in communication and corporate responsibility. Woolworths, this year’s winner, was a stand-out in all of these measures,” said News24 Business editor Helena Wasserman.
Analysts praised the company’s bold direction in recent years, while Woolworths also demonstrated leadership in sustainability and local responsibility.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won’t be billed.
