Sainsbury's commercial director Mike Coupe is being tipped as the most likely successor to CEO Justin King following the shock departure this week of group development director Darren Shapland.
Shapland revealed he was leaving the retailer after its agm on 13 July to "pursue a number of personal interests". He will, however, remain non-executive chairman of Sainsbury's Bank.
His unexpected departure caused a 5.3p dip in Sainsbury's share price in early trading on Monday. Shapland had been viewed as a possible candidate to succeed King. He was promoted to group development director from chief financial officer last summer in a promotion widely seen as a move by Sainsbury's to stop him defecting to Marks & Spencer's, which was on the hunt for an FD.
Coupe moved up from trading director to group commercial director in the same reshuffle and has since been instrumental in the relaunch of the retailer's premium own-label range Taste the Difference. He will now lead what the retailer claims is its biggest-ever own-label revamp the relaunch of its 6,500-strong standard range as 'By Sainsbury's'. The former MD of Iceland, who has also worked for Asda and Tesco, was the new heir-apparent, said analysts. "Coupe is worth a shout," said one analyst. He added that Shapland was more likely to move to a role unrelated to Sainsbury's because he was retaining his non-exec role.
Shapland's departure prompted another management reshuffle. MD of non-food Luke Jensen moves up to the role of group development director, taking on Shapland's responsibilities except for convenience, Bank and property. King will take direct responsibility for convenience and CFO John Rogers will add property to his remit.
James Brown, trading director for clothing, footwear, home and furniture for Littlewoods Shop Direct, becomes business unit director for clothing and Robbie Feather, buying director for electricals and home technology at John Lewis, becomes business unit director for GM.
Shapland revealed he was leaving the retailer after its agm on 13 July to "pursue a number of personal interests". He will, however, remain non-executive chairman of Sainsbury's Bank.
His unexpected departure caused a 5.3p dip in Sainsbury's share price in early trading on Monday. Shapland had been viewed as a possible candidate to succeed King. He was promoted to group development director from chief financial officer last summer in a promotion widely seen as a move by Sainsbury's to stop him defecting to Marks & Spencer's, which was on the hunt for an FD.
Coupe moved up from trading director to group commercial director in the same reshuffle and has since been instrumental in the relaunch of the retailer's premium own-label range Taste the Difference. He will now lead what the retailer claims is its biggest-ever own-label revamp the relaunch of its 6,500-strong standard range as 'By Sainsbury's'. The former MD of Iceland, who has also worked for Asda and Tesco, was the new heir-apparent, said analysts. "Coupe is worth a shout," said one analyst. He added that Shapland was more likely to move to a role unrelated to Sainsbury's because he was retaining his non-exec role.
Shapland's departure prompted another management reshuffle. MD of non-food Luke Jensen moves up to the role of group development director, taking on Shapland's responsibilities except for convenience, Bank and property. King will take direct responsibility for convenience and CFO John Rogers will add property to his remit.
James Brown, trading director for clothing, footwear, home and furniture for Littlewoods Shop Direct, becomes business unit director for clothing and Robbie Feather, buying director for electricals and home technology at John Lewis, becomes business unit director for GM.
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