Asda has strengthened its leadership team as part of efforts by new Chairman Allan Leighton to improve the performance of the troubled supermarket group.
Liz Evans is taking up the position of Chief Commercial Officer, Non-food and Retail, leading Asda’s large store operations on a permanent basis, alongside her current leadership of the George clothing brand.
The retailer has also created a new position on its Executive Team – Chief Supply Chain Officer – to oversee all its food and general merchandise operations.
Meanwhile, to bolster its food team under Kris Comerford, Chief Commercial Officer – Food, Ade McKeon is re-joining Asda as Vice President – Ambient, with Beer Wines and Spirits, Core Grocery, Impulse Grocery, Non-Edible and Healthcare teams reporting to him.
Gemma Lightbody will also be re-joining Asda from Marks & Spencer as Business Unit Director for Impulse Grocery, reporting to McKeon. Matt Shields will join from Aldi in due course as Business Unit Director for Core Grocery, and current Asda exec Matt Wood will take on the role of SD Commercial Operations, reporting directly to Comerford with immediate effect.
Commenting on the changes, Leighton said: “Asda’s mission is to deliver the value ordinary working people, and their families demand from us. To do this, we need to be and are rediscovering our ‘Asda-ness’. I’m delighted to be announcing these leadership changes as we start this journey.”
It was reported yesterday that Leighton had launched his first round of cost-cutting as part of an overhaul of the business. 13 regional managers will be leaving the business as part of a shake-up aimed at improving performance.
NAM Implications:
- All the right talent in place.
- And (some) cuts to size, more to come.
- Asda just needs time.
- Fingers still crossed…
