Hypermarket group Matahari Putra Prima (MPPA) has a new CEO, William Travis Saucer, whose 12-month appointment takes immediate effect.

Noel Trinder will continue as head of Lippo Group’s consumer retail division. He joined the company in 2003 as CEO.

While the MPPA board says it believes Saucer’s experience and familiarity with both the Indonesian retail market and the company will lead toward efficiency and growth, it has decided to initiate an immediate search for a permanent CEO.

As interim CEO, Saucer will lead the company in the meantime with its more than 289 multi-format stores throughout Indonesia.

Saucer has been with MPPA owner Lippo Group since 2006, serving as chief executive of Matahari Department Stores until 2012. He has since been serving as commissioner for the stores as well as being independent commissioner of MPPA.

He has had more than 37 years of retailing and management experience both in the US and in Indonesia, having starting his career in 1973 with JC Penney and Saks.

MPPA has more than 289 multi-format stores nationally from Aceh to Papua, and employs more than 12,700 people.