Supermarket chain Asda has named former store manager and chief operating officer Andy Clarke as its new chief executive.
Mr Clarke has taken over the head role from former school colleague Andy Bond, who has moved up to become chairman of Asda’s executive board following five successful years at the helm.
“I am delighted to appoint Andy Clarke to be my successor,” said Mr Bond. “He was clearly the right choice from the internal and external candidates we considered. I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to ensure a smooth transition for Andy in his new role.
Mr Clarke, 46, first joined Asda in 1992 as a store manager. He left the company in 2001 to take on senior roles at frozen food chain Iceland and clothing retailer Matalan before returning to Asda as retail director in 2005. He was then made chief operating officer in 2007.
Asda’s US owners Wal-Mart said Mr Clarke’s had long been identified as a “leader”.
Doug McMillon, president and chief executive of Wal-Mart International, said: “Andy knows the company, our colleagues and he cares about our customers. He is the ideal person for the job and this will be a seamless leadership change.”
Asda said that Mr Clark will lead the company’s efforts to “become an even better food retailer, a broader non-food retailer and a leader in e-commerce “.
