
Boots has poached Asda’s retail boss Simon Gregg as its new chief retail, logistics and pharmacy operations director.
Gregg joins the business on Monday (20 January) from his current position as chief ecommerce and retail officer at Asda, Retail Week reported.
He spent the last eight years at the UK’s third biggest grocer, responsible for its retail and online shopping channels.
Gregg started his career at Tesco in 1986, where he held various roles including online director for Tesco.com, Tesco direct and F&F before he left in 2016.
Related Story
A Boots spokesperson told the publication: “We are delighted to confirm that Simon Gregg has been appointed as chief retail officer and will join us on 20th January to take up the role of leading our talented stores, central operations and logistics teams across the UK.
“Simon has a huge amount of retail experience from multiple executive leadership roles at Tesco and Asda.
“His superb know-how in leading big teams across expansive store estates, connecting physical and digital worlds to enhance the customer and colleague experience and passion for brilliant service will be invaluable as we enter the next stage of our ambitious transformation journey. We look forward to welcoming him to the business.”
Gregg’s departure from Asda comes as the supermarket has shuffled its leadership team to “satisfy the daily and weekly shopping needs of ordinary working people and their families who demand value”.
Liz Evans, who currently leads the George clothing brand, will be taking up the position of chief commercial officer for non-food and retail at the supermarket, leading its large store operations on a permanent basis, alongside her continued leadership of the George clothing brand.
Meanwhile, Ade McKeon will re-join Asda as vice president and Gemma Lightbody has returned to the supermarket from M&S as business unit director for impulse grocery.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter