Asda has suffered another major blow after it emerged former Accolade Wines boss Ade McKeon is leaving after less than six months in the role.
McKeon, who rejoined the company as part of a major management shake-up in January, was made vice president for ambient by executive chairman Allan Leighton, who hailed him upon his return as someone who “understands the language of Asda”.
However, today Asda admitted it was already searching for a replacement for McKeon.
“Ade rejoined Asda to support a significant period of change and has played a key role in helping to deliver this during the last six months,” said an Asda spokesperson.
“Ade has signalled his desire to be nearer to home in west London and get some balance back into his life.
“Given the amount of work we have to do, it was felt that the time was right to make a change now and to implement the right succession plan, which we will communicate in due course.”
McKeon was seen as a senior figure with what Leighton called “Asda DNA”, along with ex Co-op boss Jo Whitfield, who was brought in as a non-executive director in February.
Since the shake-up at the start of the year, Asda’s beer, wines and spirits, core grocery, impulse grocery, non-edible and healthcare teams have all been reporting to McKeon.
He was a brand director at Asda before going on to become Accolade Wines general manager and European MD, leaving the company in 2020.
Leighton has carried out a series of management appointments at Asda, while continuing to seacrh for a new CEO.
Earlier this month, it revealed Asda had poached Morrisons’ marketing boss Rachel Eyre to become its new chief customer officer following the departure of David Hills.
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