Asda hands reins to former Morrisons boss in turnaround push
Asda has named a former Morrisons boss as its new chief executive as the embattled grocer looks to accelerate its turnaround efforts. David Potts, who also spent four decades with Tesco, will take over the reins with immediate effect, prompting veteran boss Allan Leighton to step back into a non-executive chairman role two years after [...]
Asda has appointed a former Morrisons chief executive as its new leader in an effort to accelerate its turnaround, the grocery retailer announced on Tuesday. David Potts, who previously spent four decades with Tesco, will take over as chief executive immediately, while Allan Leighton, who had been Asda's chief executive during its 1990s peak, assumes the role of executive chairman.
This comes as Asda reports its first sales growth in years, driven by intense competition from discount grocery chains Aldi and Lidl. Potts began his career at Tesco, rising from the deli counter to oversee its Asian operations before becoming Morrisons' CEO in 2015. He was succeeded by Rami Baitiéh when Morrisons was acquired by Clayton Dubilier & Rice in 2023.
Leighton, who returned to Asda in November 2024, credited Potts with an impressive track record in the industry, noting that his experience aligns with the company's ongoing transformation efforts. Potts acknowledged the "significant opportunities" that remain for Asda's turnaround, praising the progress made under Leighton's leadership while emphasizing the importance of continuously improving the shopping experience for families across the UK.
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