Clarke to become chief executive at Asda while Bond steps up to chairman
CHIEF operating officer of Asda, Andy Clarke, has been appointed to the role of chief executive and president of the US-owned supermarket.
His promotion follows last month’s announcement by Andy Bond that he would step up to become part-time chairman at the retailer.
Clarke joined Asda in 1992 but left in 2001 for roles at Matalan and Iceland, the frozen food chain. He returned to Asda in 2005.
Bond will start his new role immediately and will “help ensure a smooth leadership transition”, the supermarket said.
Bond said: “I’m delighted to appoint Andy Clarke to be my successor.
“He was clearly the right choice from the internal and external candidates we considered.”
Doug McMillon, president and chief executive of Wal-Mart International, Asda’s owner, said: “We have a robust succession planning and talent development process and Andy Clarke has long been identified as a leader.
“With his long career at Asda, working first as a store manager, followed by key roles in trading, as retail director and most recently as chief operating officer. He is the ideal person for the job.”
The chain has seen its market share slip recently as it tries to goes head-to-head with rivals Tesco, Sainsbury and Morrisons.