Dis-Chem Pharmacies has announced that Saul Saltzman, the son of company founder Ivan Saltzman, has officially resigned as an executive director, signalling a deeper phase in the group’s leadership transition.
The move marks another step in Dis-Chem’s ongoing transformation as the retailer continues to evolve beyond its founding family’s direct control.
According to Aheesh Singh, Chief Investment Officer at MP9 Asset Management, this gradual handover represents a natural evolution for the company and could help restore investor confidence if management strengthens its strategic execution.
“Dis-Chem’s ongoing leadership transition signals a new phase of maturity for the retailer,” Singh said. “If the company can sharpen its execution and operational focus, it may regain the trust of long-term investors.”
The Saltzman family, which founded Dis-Chem in 1978, has progressively reduced its executive involvement in recent years while retaining a significant shareholding and strategic influence.
This latest resignation follows previous leadership adjustments, including Ivan Saltzman’s move from CEO to non-executive chair and other senior-level restructurings aimed at diversifying leadership expertise.
Analysts view the transition as part of Dis-Chem’s effort to position itself competitively amid rising retail competition and tight consumer spending in South Africa’s pharmacy and healthcare market.
Context: Dis-Chem’s Corporate Evolution
Dis-Chem has grown from a single family-run pharmacy into one of South Africa’s largest retail pharmacy chains, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) since 2016.
In recent years, the company has faced challenges related to market competition, economic slowdown, and shareholder concerns about governance and operational focus.
However, investors have welcomed recent signs of modernization and succession planning, viewing the latest changes as a sign that Dis-Chem is maturing into a professionally managed, shareholder-driven business.
