Next finance boss David Keens joins Sainsbury’s board

Next's former finance boss David Keens is joining the Sainsbury's board this week. 

 

Keens will take up the non-executive directorship from Wednesday (April 29). He is replacing Gary Hughes, who will retire at the supermarket's annual general meeting on July 8. 

 

As part of his responsibilities on the board, Keens will join Sainsbury's audit committee from this week, and will become its chairman when Hughes steps down. 

 

Sainsbury chairman David Tyler said, "First, I would like to thank Gary very much for everything he has done for Sainsbury's over the last ten years.  He has been a highly effective chairman of the audit committee and made a very valuable contribution to the board.

 

“We are delighted to welcome David Keens as a non-executive director. His deep retail experience and his knowledge of fast-moving consumer business are particularly relevant at a time when we are growing our own successful non-food ranges. This, together with his considerable skills in finance, makes him an ideal addition to our board."

 

Keens was group finance director of Next for nearly 25 years, from 1991 until last month.