Former Tesco ceo Simon King to join the Walmart-owned grocer in January, following Andy Clarke's move to the role of president and ceo.
Mr King is currently the chief executive of supermarket and hypermarket operator Panda Retail, based in Saudi Arabia. Until 2009 he was ceo of Tesco Kipa in Turkey and has a long and successful retailer career with both Tesco and Safeway.

Mr King will largely take up the brief vacated by Andy Clarke when he succeeded Andy Bond as president and ceo earlier this year. As a result, he will take responsibility for all of retail, supply chain, customer service and internal communications. The new appointment completes the Asda executive management team, following Mr Bond's move to become part-time chairman of the Asda executive committee in April.

Andy Clarke commented; "I'm thrilled to welcome Simon to Asda. 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."