Loblaw Parent Hires Metro CFO Dufresne

TORONTO — George Weston Ltd., the parent of Loblaw Cos., said Tuesday it has hired Richard Dufresne as chief financial officer, a position he has held for the past six years with Montreal-based retailer Metro Inc.

"We have asked Richard to join us at a pivotal and exciting time,” said W. Galen Weston, chairman, in a prepared statement. “We are confident that his strategic focus and transactional skills will be a valuable addition to the Weston team in achieving the strategic vision for our businesses.”

Dufresne, a former investment banker specializing in mergers and acquisitions for Merrill Lynch, played a key role in Metro's acquisition of A&P Canada in 2005, Metro said when he was hired as CFO in 2006. He begins his new role at Weston March 26.

In addition to the Loblaw supermarket chain, Weston also operates baking concern Weston Foods.