EDRA/GHIN Announces John Herbert's 2026 Retirement

EDRA/GHIN General Secretary and Co-Founder, John W. Herbert, has announced his intention to retire on the 31^st of March 2026, but will remain active at EDRA/GHIN, Make it Zero, and the Global DIY-Summit in a supportive role.

In agreement with the EDRA/GHIN Board and Members a successor for the position has already been elected and will be announced in due course.  

In his 22 years as General Secretary, John W. Herbert has travelled 496 times to all corners of the world and grown the membership from 2 association members to a network representing 232 retail companies around the world operating over 35,000 stores in 79 countries and with members’ sales over 400 billion Euros annually.

On being informed of this development, EDRA/GHIN President Erwin Van Osta, responded “John Herbert leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. His vision, determination and personal commitment transformed a small European initiative into a respected worldwide network and a trusted voice for our sector. On behalf of the Board and our members, I would like to thank John for his decades of leadership and service. We are grateful for his willingness to remain involved and supportive as we build on the strong foundations he has created.”

On communicating his intent to retire, John W. Herbert shared “It is the right time to leave the industry with a career spanning 70 years in retailing. It has been an honour and a privilege to unite the industry under the umbrella of EDRA/GHIN and bring it together with our annual Global DIY-Summit. I am also stepping back knowing that I have the most suitable and well-qualified successor.”

A Career in Retailing

Born in Yorkshire, John W. Herbert started in retailing almost 70 years ago on the 31st of March 1956 as a shop assistant at the York Co-op. He joined the British Army in 1962 and was called into the British Army of the Rhine in January 1963. He held a position as Regional Manager at the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAFFI) stores until 1975. Upon leaving the British Army, John moved to manage the first hypermarkets in Germany.  A life-changing opportunity was presented when John was appointed Director of Savacentre, the groundbreaking hypermarket model from Sainsbury’s. John managed one of the first and largest hypermarkets in the UK from 1977-79.  Upon returning to Germany John continued to manage hypermarkets. He was then appointed  Managing Director of Knauber, one of the most successful and respected family owned DIY and home improvement retailers in 1983. John has been actively involved in the home improvement and DIY industry for over 40 years. In October 2000 it was announced that John would be taking the role of President of EXPO Design Division West of The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, responsible for California, Colorado and Texas.  Upon his departure from The Home Depot, being promoted and fired in the same meeting, John returned to Germany where he took the role of Co-Managing Director of the Handelsverband Heimwerken, Bauen und Garten e.V. (BHB).  

Source : EDRA/GHIN

Image : EDRA/GHIN

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