Foley will take responsibility for Iceland's established ITEX export business and its new retail operation in the Czech Republic, but will also be on the lookout to find and exploit
opportunities elsewhere. He will be based in Vienna, Austria, and report directly to Iceland Chief Executive Malcolm Walker in Deeside.
"His exceptional track record and skill set make him the ideal person to lead Iceland's development outside the UK, whether that be through exports, franchising, acquisitions or store openings," Walker said. "The global potential of the Iceland brand is huge and I am very excited by the many opportunities that Paul's appointment will help to open up."
"I am greatly looking forward to joining the dynamic team at Iceland," said Foley, who had worked for Bejam when it was acquired by Iceland in 1989 and helped integrate the companies. "The strength of the business's performance in recent years is a testament to the strength of the brand, the often underrated quality of Iceland products and the quite remarkable business culture that gives Iceland such a very special feeling as a place to work."
Foley left Iceland in 1989 to join the start-up of Aldi in the UK as sales director. He became Aldi's group managing director for the UK in 2000 and for the UK and Ireland in 2004. He was also a key member of Aldi's international project team responsible for researching and establishing other Aldi businesses around the world. But he left Aldi in 2009 to set up his own retail consultancy.
