Asda has hired Simon King as its new chief operating officer with responsibility for all of retail; supply chain, including distribution; customer service and internal communications.
King, who joins in January 2011, is currently the chief executive of supermarket and hypermarket operator Panda Retail, a subsidiary of The Savola Group, based in Saudi Arabia.
He will largely take up the brief vacated by Andy Clarke when he succeeded Andy Bond in May as president and chief executive.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Simon to Asda,” said Andy Clarke. “In his career, he’s demonstrated his talents as both a strategic leader and a day-to-day operator in large complex retail businesses. I know he shares a commitment to people and delivering for customers. I’m looking forward to the contribution I know he’ll make here at Asda.”
Until 2009 King was chief executive of Tesco Kipa in Turkey and has held senior management positions with both Tesco and Safeway.
