Asda has announced a raft of appointments which includes Nisa‘s chief executive Ken Towle, joining the Big 4 grocer as its new retail director.
Towle joins from the symbol group retailer, where he held the position of chief executive since 2018 and was responsible for supplying over 4,000 stores across the UK and Ireland.
Before leading Nisa, Towle spent over 10 years at Tesco where he operated in various senior roles including store director, chief executive for Tesco China and managing director for Central Europe, Ireland and Turkey.
Other appointments include Kris Comerford being named Asda’s new chief commercial officer.
Comerford is expected to join Asda from Tesco in late summer 2022, where he has most recently held the position of UK commercial director, packaged food, fuel and Tobacco.
Comerford joined Tesco in 2005 and has held responsibility for key categories within the commercial team before taking on the role of customer director in 2016.
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The news comes after Derek Lawlor, who has led Asda’s commercial team since 2019, left the business after six years.
Additionally, Simon Gregg, who currently leads Asda’s online operation, is joining the executive leadership team with the increasing relevance of Asda’s online business.
“Today we are confirming changes to the leadership of our business as we set ourselves up for the future,” Asda owners with TDR Capital Mohsin and Zuber Issa said.
“The appointment of Ken Towle, Kris Comerford and Simon Gregg to our leadership team will bring a great combination of experience and new thinking to our table.
“We are delighted that we continue to attract such talent to our great business. Together, we will continue to put our customers at the heart of all our decision making and focus on delivering excellent service in what we know will be another challenging period for consumers.”
Chairman of Asda Lord Stuart Rose added: “I would like to thank Derek for his immense contribution to Asda over the past six years and wish him well for the future.
“I am delighted that Ken, Kris and Simon are joining the leadership team at Asda, where their experience and passion for retail will further strengthen our great team as we continue to build on Asda’s long heritage of delivering affordable quality and championing our customers.”Kris
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