Roger Burnley has today stepped down from his role as Chief Executive of Asda, much earlier than originally planned.
After the chain was taken over by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital in February, 54-year-old Burnley announced that he would leave the business in 2022. He stated at the time that his departure was for “personal” reasons and that he did not feel he could commit to another five years leading the supermarket group.
In a statement today, Asda said Burnley had departed following the completion of a transition period under new ownership. The process to recruit Burnley’s successor is “ongoing” with some additional appointments also on the cards.
Trevor Strain, Morrisons’ Chief Operating Officer, Steve Murrells, the boss of the Co-op, Jason Tarry, CEO of Tesco UK & Ireland, Stuart Machin, head of Food at M&S, Ronny Gottschlich, a former boss of Lidl, and Anthony Hemmerdinger, Asda’s COO, have been named by industry watchers as potential candidates to take over from Burnley.
In the interim period, the group stated that Mohsin and Zuber Issa will work closely with the Asda management team to deliver its “strategic vision”.
A joint statement from the two brothers said: “The Asda business has proven its resilience over the last eighteen months and has a strong platform in place for further innovation and growth.
“We have mutually agreed with Roger that now is the right time for him to step down from the business following a transition period under our ownership. We would like to thank Roger for his leadership and contribution during his time with the business, particularly during the last year. We have a great team of more than 140,000 colleagues at Asda, and we look forward to supporting all of them to deliver for our customers in the second half of the year.”
Burnley re-joined Asda in 2016 and had been CEO since 2018.
NAM Implications:
- With six potential candidates, NAMs will need further clarity…
- …in order to muse re impact of a replacement on Asda policy.
- Meanwhile, anticipate more influence from the owners…
