The longstanding, and so far unsuccessful search for Asda’s new CEO could receive a shot in the arm following the return of former chief Allan Leighton as its new executive chair this week.
Leighton, who during his tenure as CEO from 1996 to 2001 helmed the turnaround of Asda from the brink of insolvency to its £6.7bn sale to Walmart in in 1999, told The Guardian that one of his top priorities was filling the role.
Asda’s ongoing search to appoint a permanent CEO has so far yielded no results since Roger Burnley’s early departure in 2021 – despite the role offering a potential pay package of up to £10m.
But industry insiders believe Leighton’s return to the helm could be a draw for fellow former Asda execs and wider UK grocery retail’s top brass to take up the top spot. Retail Gazette looks at some of the possible candidates to be the supermarket’s next chief executive.
Tony Hoggett
Tesco lifer Tony Hoggett could be a good fit to take on the chief executive role.
The current COO of US celebrity chef restaurant start-up Wonder joined the UK’s biggest supermarket in 1990, holding various positions across the UK and Asia including most recently as its group chief strategy and innovation officer of the chain.
Spanning roles including vice-president of Tesco’s South China arm and chief operating officer for Tesco Kipa in Turkey, Hoggett could be well suited to take on another leadership role at Asda.
Hoggett was poached by Amazon in 2021 to become its new senior vice president of worldwide grocery stores – an appointment which was viewed as a major loss for UK grocery retail. During his time at the ecommerce behemoth, Hoggett was charged with revamping the company’s grocery arm and its approach to physical retail.
His transformation expertise could come in handy as Asda as it looks to improve the store and customer experience.
Barry Williams
With Leighton back at Asda, could we see the supermarket’s former executive Barry Williams also make a return?
Williams has spent the last nine years at Poundland owner Pepco, joining as a trading director for the discount chain in 2016 before being promoted to managing director for Poundland in 2017 and MD for Pepco last September.
He led the UK transformation of Pepco while at the helm, potentially making him an ideal fit to revitalise the struggling supermarket.
Prior to that, he spent seven years at Asda holding several senior roles, including as chief merchandising officer for food and chief customer officer.
His convenience experience from a four year stint at Musgrave Budgens Londis in 2004 may also come in handy at Asda, which has more than 500 convenience stores across the UK.
Clodagh Moriarty
Sainsbury’s digital boss Clodagh Moriarty could also find herself in the running to take on the role.
Moriarty has built quite the reputation during her ten-plus years at the supermarket, where she has held a range of role across strategy, retail and digital divisions, before being appointed as chief retail and technology officer last year.
The ex-Bain consultant has been responsible for creating a seamless and integrated customers experience across the Sainsbury’s portfolio and has been instrumental in growing online sales and profitability.
Moriarty’s expertise of driving customer innovation, including introducing same-day grocery delivery, one-hour grocery delivery in Chop Chop and SmartShop, could be just what Asda needs to help it get back on track.
Tony Buffin
Former Holland & Barrett boss Tony Buffin is another potential candidate to take over the running of Asda.
Buffin, who is no stranger to retail transformations, served as chief executive of the health food chain between 2019 and 2021, where he spearheaded the revitalization of its international arm.
He also oversaw several transformations during his time at Travis Perkins and is credited with the successful turnaround of Australian supermarket Coles during his time as the retailer’s CFO between 2009 to 2013. He is currently the founder and chairman of data consultancy firm Tecsa Group.
His turnaround expertise certainly makes him a suitable fit for the vacant role at Asda.
Chris Bush
Former Tesco boss Chris Bush could also be in line to be the next boss of the supermarket.
Bush worked at the grocery giant for more than three decades, serving as chief executive of its Thailand arm. He was named as Tesco UK managing director in 2013 under CEO Philip Clarke.
The businessman was hired as CEO of DFI Retail Southeast Asia in 2021, before being appointed as the boss of the world’s largest fruit supplier, Westfalia Fruit Group, in October 2024.
His nearly four decades of experience in grocery retail, including various leadership positions, could stand him in good stead to take the top spot at Asda.
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