Asda announces senior leadership appointments
Asda has announced changes to its leadership teams across different functions to support next year’s growth ambitions.
In property, Andy Newton has been appointed a vice president of property with responsibility for property, estates, acquisitions, and store development. Due to join the supermarket in January, he has been serving as property director of Poundstretcher since April 2024. Prior to this, he was group property director at Morrisons.
Following Newton’s appointment, Jim Townsend will remain vice president of procurement, continuing to lead the goods-not-for-resale strategy, policy, and buying. Meanwhile, Geri Hebberd will refocus her role as senior director of strategy.
Newton, Townsend and Hebberd will all report to Asda’s chief financial officer, Michael Gleeson.
In the commercial function, Max Hilliard has joined as managing director of Forza & Kober Foods, part of Asda’s sourcing division IPL, which supplies a range of cooked and sliced meats to the business. The move represents a homecoming for Hilliard, who founded the Forza business in 2007. Following his appointment, Jon Hornby will take on the role of managing director IPL produce manufacturing.
Looking at the customer function, Asda said Adam Zavalis, VP of marketing, has decided to leave the business having delivered Asda’s Christmas advertising campaign.
The supermarket is planning to recruit a new vice president to lead its advertising, social, creative, and design teams. In the interim, Pippa Prain will step into a new position as senior director of marketing planning, propositions, and operations.
Asda has also announced that Jen England has returned to the supermarket in an interim senior director marketing communications role.
