Former M&S boss Stuart Rose tipped to chair Asda board

Rose, who held the top job at M&S between 2004 and 2011, is being considered for the role, according to The Times.

Rose already holds the position of chair at EG Group, the Issa brothers’ petrol forecourt empire. 

His appointment would mark his return to grocery following his tenure at M&S, and his role as chair at Ocado which he stepped down from in May.

Rose’s appointment would be one of a number of senior hires Asda is seeking as it reshuffles its senior leadership team following the abrupt exit of chief executive Roger Burnley earlier this month.

Chief financial officer Rob McWilliam left the business in April and was replaced by his deputy John Fallon, while other hires include former Waitrose executive Sam Dickson as vice president of own brand, and incoming chief information officer Carl Dawson.

Ian McLeod has recently emerged as the frontrunner for the chief executive role at Asda, with the grocer set to make the appointment this year.