Spar SA CEO Max Oliva has resigned after three decades with the grocery wholesaler to become the new CEO of McDonald’s SA, the group announced.
Oliva’s exit leaves a leadership gap at the helm of Spar’s largest business, with group CEO Angelo Swartz now set to take over operational control of the division.
Oliva’s departure follows a long tenure marked by both turbulence and transformation. He steered the business through major challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic; the controversial rollout of SAP enterprise software, which resulted in major operational and financial disruptions; and ongoing digital upgrades across the organisation, the group said.
His resignation also comes at a time when Spar is under pressure to reignite growth, rebuild confidence and improve operational efficiency following a difficult period marked by internal disruptions and a market share under increasing pressure from aggressive rivals such as Checkers and Woolworths.
Oliva said: “It has been an honour to serve Spar for the past three decades. While this was not an easy decision, I am confident that the business is in capable hands. Angelo has my full support, and I am excited to see how the team continues to build on the momentum we’ve created.”
Swartz, who joined Spar from Woolworths in 2007 and was appointed CEO in October 2023, now has his hands full as he works to turn the company around and sustain momentum. Since his appointment he has been driving a strategic reset focused on exiting underperforming markets, streamlining operations and refocusing on core regions like SA.
Swartz described Oliva as a respected leader and acknowledged his contribution to the group.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Max for many years and have immense respect for his leadership and the legacy he leaves. Thanks to the strong foundation he has laid, I approach this next phase with confidence that, together with our talented team, we will continue to push forward and deliver on our growth ambitions for Southern Africa,” he said.
McDonald’s SA confirmed Oliva would take on the hot seat on July 1. The fast food business said Oliva’s appointment came at a critical time as the brand adapted to a rapidly evolving consumer landscape. It said Oliva’s deep local market knowledge, strong operational background, and people-first leadership style were key reasons behind his selection.
Having led one of SA’s largest retail networks through commercial turnaround and strategic execution, Oliva comes with a track record of aligning teams around performance and purpose.
McDonald’s said his experience across supply chain, operations, and leadership positioned him to accelerate innovation, elevate customer experience and strengthen the brand’s market position.
“Throughout his career, Oliva has been recognised for his inclusive, values-driven approach, and his ability to unite diverse teams around shared goals. These attributes, combined with his strong operational background made him the clear choice to lead McDonald’s SA forward,” McDonald’s said.
Note: June 11 2025
This story has been corrected to show that wile Angelo Swartz became Spar CEO in October 2023, he had in fact joined the company in 2007.
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