Asda has made a number of key changes to its senior leadership team, following yesterday’s surprise announcement that marketing VP Adam Zavalis is to leave the supermarket after just over two years in the role.
The reshuffle, which includes appointing two senior executives to key roles, spans several parts of the business and has been made as part of Asda’s growth strategy as the supermarket strengthens its plans for 2026.
Andy Newton will join in January as VP for property, overseeing Asda’s estates, acquisitions and store development. He brings extensive experience from senior property roles at Safeway, Morrisons and, most recently, Poundstretcher.
Following this new appointment, Jim Townsend will continue in his current role as VP for procurement, with responsibility for the goods not for resale strategy, policy and buying, while Geri Hebberd will refocus her role as senior director of strategy.
All three will report directly to Asda chief financial officer Michael Gleeson.
Asda also confirmed plans to recruit a new VP of marketing to lead its advertising, social, creative and design teams, while also thanking Zavalis for “his contribution during the last two years” and wishing him well for the future.
Pippa Prain will take on an interim role as senior director of marketing planning, propositions and operations, providing strategic leadership and co-ordination across the function while Asda searches for a permanent appointment for this “next, critical chapter” in its turnaround.
Jen England has returned to Asda as interim senior director of marketing communications, overseeing advertising, social media and design teams.
Elsewhere, Max Hilliard has taken on the role of MD at Forza & Kober Foods, part of Asda’s sourcing arm IPL, which supplies cooked and sliced meats to the retailer. The appointment marks a return for Hilliard, who founded Forza in 2007. He joins the business with immediate effect.
Following Hilliard’s arrival, Jon Hornby has been promoted to MD of IPL.
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