Former Asda head Allan Leighton has returned to the supermarket as Executive Chair, succeeding Lord (Stuart) Rose who has served in the role since 2021.
Retail veteran Leighton, 71, was Chief Executive between 1996 and 2000, when he played a pivotal role in turning around the business alongside current M&S chair Archie Norman.
“I am delighted to be returning to the business which has always been a special place for me,” he said.
“The potential for Asda now is significant, and my focus will be to work with the leadership team to help make Asda special for our colleagues and millions of customers.”
Leighton’s impressive career resume includes a nine-year stint as Chair of rival grocer, the Co-op. He was also President of Loblaw Companies, North America’s second largest food retail business.
Stuart Rose said he was pleased to welcome Leighton back, adding: “It has been a privilege to work alongside the Asda team over the past three years and to support the business through this period of transition. Asda will benefit enormously from Allan’s experience…I look forward to continuing to support Asda as a shareholder and customer over the coming years.”
Asda will be hoping for better fortunes in 2025. In the past year, the retailer has faced store strikes, sales declines and an internal survey in which less than half of its employees expressed any faith in the ownership’s long-term strategic plan. It is still searching for a permanent CEO after Roger Burnley’s sudden exit in 2021.
 Rose who has served in the role since 2021){kind=link}