Iceland managing director Richard Walker has been appointed executive chairman of the frozen food retailer as his father, Malcolm Walker is due to step down from the role.
According to reporting by The Grocer, Richard will also be taking over as chair of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation.
The retailer has confirmed that Malcolm, who launched Iceland in 1970, will continue on its board as founder.
Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning
“Richard is really looking forward to presiding over the executive board while continuing to fulfil his direct responsibilities for Iceland,” an Iceland spokeswoman told The Grocer.
Having joined Iceland 11 years ago, Richard has worked an array of roles at Iceland including on the shop floor, as a Twickenham store manager and head office roles such as international business director.
In 2015, he was appointed managing director of a sub-brand of Iceland, The Food Warehouse and in 2018 Richard became managing director of Iceland Foods.
Last year, Walker joined the government’s business council and also launched a bid to become an MP.
According to reporting by Retail Week in October, Walker was named on the Conservatives list of approved parliamentary candidates and is set to stand for parliament at the next general election.
However, sources revealed the list included hundreds of names and that it would not be definite that he would obtain a seat.
