Asda retail development director Steve Masters is leaving the business, according to press reports.

Between 2004 and 2009 Masters was chief operating officer at First Quench Group, which owned the Threshers off licence chain prior to its administration.

The departure of Masters reportedly comes as part of a restructure of Asda’s property team. A spokesperson for the supermarket told The Times the team was being reorganised along regional lines rather than according to separate formats.

Masters is joined on the way out from Asda by sustainable development boss Bob Simpson.

The exits come after new business director Arnu Misra last week left the business after just nine months with Asda. Misra rejoined Asda in April 2011 to lead a review of Asda’s online business.