Former Asda CEO Roger Burnley is to join Marks & Spencer as a non-executive director.
Burnley will officially join the M&S board from 1 December. He will also sit on the retailer’s audit and risk board as well as its nomination committee.
Confirming the move via the London Stock Exchange today, M&S chairman Archie Norman – another former Asda chief executive – said: “Roger brings extensive experience in the food retail industry and supply chain transformation, which will be invaluable as we enter the next phase of our plan to reshape M&S for growth. He’s a strong addition to the team and I’m delighted to welcome him to the board.”
Burnley, who was the last person to hold the official title of Asda CEO, stepped down in 2021 shortly after its acquisition by the Issa Brothers and TDR Capital.
He joined the business in 2016 as chief operating officer and deputy CEO to then chief executive Sean Clarke, before being appointed CEO in 2018. His departure in March 2021 came four months ahead of originally planned, leaving the supermarket without a dedicated CEO.
Prior to joining Asda he was retail and operations director at Sainsbury’s.
He is currently also a non-executive director at pet services retailer Pets At Home.
“M&S is a much-loved brand which I have always admired as setting the standard in UK retail, and it is a privilege to be joining such an engaged board,” Burnley said.
“Much progress has been made through the Reshaping for Growth strategy, but there remains so much opportunity, and I am looking forward to supporting the leadership team to capitalise on that in the years ahead,” he added.
He joins as M&S continues its recovery from a crippling cyberattack, which left it with limited availability, wiped £300m off its balance sheet, and hits its reputation as customers were unable to use its online services. Sales growth has slowed, but M&S has largely recovered food sales, drawing level with Waitrose in grocery share in Sepetmber, according to Worldpanel data seen by The Grocer.
Burnley’s appointment comes after Norman’s own tenure as chairman, which began in 2017, was extended by three years from September 2026.
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