Asda has announced a revamp of its leadership team as the beleaguered retailer refocusses on its mission to “satisfy the daily and weekly shopping needs of ordinary working people and their families who demand value”.
The retailer said Liz Evans will take up the position of chief commercial officer, non-food and retail, leading its large store operations on a permanent basis, alongside her continued leadership of the George clothing brand.
Asda has also created a new position on its executive team – chief supply chain officer – to oversee all its food and general merchandise operations. The position is yet to be filled.
To bolster the food team under Kris Comerford, chief commercial officer – food, Ade McKeon rejoins Asda as vice president – ambient, with beer wines and spirits, core grocery, impulse grocery, non-edible and healthcare teams reporting to him.
McKeon previously spent four years with Asda in commercial and brand leadership roles, before joining Accolade Wines as UK and Ireland general manager in 2017. He left Accolade in 2020.
Gemma Lightbody will also be rejoining Asda from Marks and 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 colleague Matt Wood will take on the role of SD commercial operations reporting directly to Comerford with immediate effect.
Commenting on the revamp, Allan Leighton, Asda's executive chairman, 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.”
Asda continues to face significant challenges, with sales declining by 5.8 per cent in the 12 weeks to December 29, 2024 - the steepest fall among the major multiples. This marked nearly a year of consistent sales decline for the supermarket, which has struggled to maintain momentum since early 2024.
