Asda boss Roger Burnley steps down with immediate effect

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Asda boss Roger Burnley has left the grocer with immediate effect, months before he had initially been due to step down – and with no successor in place.

Burnley revealed that he was leaving the supermarket giant back in March, following its acquisition by petrol forecourt tycoons the Issa brothers and TDR Capital.

Asda insisted at the time that Burnley would remain in his role until early 2022, once the business had “fully transitioned to new ownership” and a successor had been put in place.

Burnley said at the time: “I remain fully committed to leading this great business for the next year and delivering our strategy.”

But Burnley has now stepped down with immediate effect “following completion of a transition period under new ownership”.

The grocer said that the process to recruit his replacement as chief executive was “ongoing”.

Until a successor is found, Mohsin and Zuber Issa will “work closely with the Asda team on the execution of Asda’s strategic vision”.

Burnley’s abrupt departure comes following the exit of finance boss Rob McWilliam and rumours that a host of other big-name executives could seek new challenges following the change of ownership.

Asda has already set about reshaping its senior leadership team, poaching KFC’s Meghan Farren as its new chief customer officer and raiding Marks & Spencer for its new chief information officer, Carl Dawson.

The Issa brothers said: “The Asda business has proven its resilience over the last 18 months and has a strong platform in place for further innovation and growth. We have mutually agreed with Roger that now is the right time for him to step down from the business following a transition period under our ownership.

“We would like to thank Roger for his leadership and contribution during his time with the business, particularly during the last year. We have a great team of more than 140,000 colleagues at Asda, and we look forward to supporting all of them to deliver for our customers in the second half of the year.”

In a memo sent to Asda staff seen by Retail Week, the Issa brothers explained: “In March we were still under a ‘hold separate’ order issued by the Competition and Markets Authority, which meant we were not able to get involved in day-to-day matters, but over the past couple of months, we have enjoyed the opportunity to get much closer to the business, and with Roger’s support, we have been able to gain a better understanding of the opportunities in front of us.

“Now, as we transition into Asda’s next chapter, we have agreed with Roger that the time is right for him to step back from the business. He is now embarking on a well-earned holiday, but he will still be on the end of the phone if we need his thoughts on some of the broader business issues where his experience will be very valuable.”