A highly skilled and ardent Executive Retail Management Professional, with 24 years’ Senior  managerial experience within widely recognised national retail chain, Woolworths Holdings Ltd; Desi Gilbert presents a substantial career path of successfully driving sales and profit targets on regional, divisional and national levels in ensuring optimal business growth and sustainability.

With consistently outstanding records of achievement throughout his dedicated tenure at Woolworths, Desi’s last position was Divisional Executive: Western Cape, playing a central role in steering operations, strategic initiatives and large teams to consistently meet and exceed defined expectations. A motivational and target-driven manager, he demonstrates a robust ability to tap into talent and develop high performance work culture.  A Degree in Commerce Education and several leadership courses, complemented by exceptional strategic foresight and commercial intelligence has resulted the successful execution of the various role’s.

In 2017, Desi Launched Z3 Retail Consulting, a business strategy consulting company.  As managing director he consulted to the Pick n Pay board on the Group Retail Format strategy as well as the design and redevelopment of their Flagship stores Constantia and Durban North Hypermarket.

Desi holds the current position of Head of Convenience Strategy and Partnerships at Engen Petroleum. He joined Engen Petroleum in 2018 and has since developed the company’s 5 year Non- Fuel strategy to 2025.