B&M appoints Asda’s Atheeq Akbar as new chief financial officer

B&M has appointed Asda executive Atheeq Akbar as its new chief financial officer.

Due to take up his role next February, Akbar is currently vice president of commercial finance at the supermarket. Prior to this, he held senior finance roles at Morrisons before being appointed as finance director in 2021. Earlier in his career, he served in senior positions at Tesco and also worked with Etihad Airways.

Tjeerd Jegen, B&M chief executive, said: “Securing the right individual as chief financial officer has been a key priority for me in recent months and I am excited that after an extensive search, we can announce Atheeq in this role.

“His strong commercial background in UK retail will be a great asset as we bring about change to deepen the financial foundations of our business.”

Akbar will succeed B&M group financial controller Peter Waterhouse who stepped in as interim chief financial officer after Helen Cowing left the interim role in April after less than five months.