Tracey Clements has joined Sainsbury’s in a major shake-up of its operating board as it kicks on with its Next Level strategy.
Clements – who left BP in January – will join Sainsbury’s operating board in the newly created role of chief retail, logistics and supply officer from 3 September. Her role combines all of Sainsbury’s retail, digital, customer experience, supply and logistics capability in one place.
Her appointment is accompanied by shake ups to other roles. From September Mark Given, will take ownership of technology, following Clodagh Moriarty’s departure to Dunelm, to become chief technology, marketing and data officer.
A major focus of Given’s new role will be to accelerate Sainsbury’s integration of its data, and insights with its Nectar 360 and marketing capabilities. Particularly the rollout of AI across its Nectar loyalty scheme and marketing capabilities.
In another major appointment he’ll be joined by former Asda digital chief Rob Barnes, who will join Sainsbury’s in early October as its new chief technology officer. Barnes left Asda in April, where he had most recently been responsible for managing its so-called ’Project Future’ IT separation from Walmart. He will report into Given.
There are other changes to key roles. Rhian Bartlett, currently chief commercial officer, will take ownership of Given’s former beat sustainability, in the expanded role of chief commercial and sustainability officer.
Combining its commercial and sustainability agendas into a single job role, would put ”sustainability at the heart of commercial decision making – ensuring both areas come together to support long-term value creation and environmental leadership,” the business said.
Sainsbury’s will also restructure leadership at Argos
Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s aims to bolster Argos’s capabilities, and is restructuring its retail and transformation teams, who will now report directly into Graham Biggart, managing director for Argos and chief strategy officer.
The restructure will enable “an even sharper focus on delivering the More Argos, more often transformation plan and accelerating Argos’ growth”.
The appointment of Clements is a major coup for Sainsbury’s. She previously spent 17 years at Tesco, where she held operations roles across all of its retail store channels, including CEO of One Stop and MD of Tesco Express. She joined Boots in 2019 as chief operating officer. Then in 2022, was appointed CEO of BP’s convenience business, following a short stint leading its European c-stores business.
“I’m delighted to welcome Tracey to our operating board. Her breadth of experience, energy and customer-first mindset make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team and I’m confident she will play a pivotal role in accelerating our plan and shaping the next chapter of our Sainsbury’s business,” said Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts.
“Alongside Tracey, we’re strengthening our leadership across technology, commercial and sustainability, all areas that are critical to delivering our Next Level strategy,” he said. “With Rhian taking forward our combined commercial and sustainability ambition, Mark uniting technology, marketing and data, Graham leading our group strategy and the transformation of Argos, and Rob joining us as CTO, we’re building the momentum and the capabilities to move faster, serve customers better and unlock long-term growth across the group.
“I’d also like to again express my heartfelt thanks to Clo for her very significant contribution to our business and our team. Clo has brought energy, commitment and impact, and we all wish her every success for the future when she leaves us in September,” Roberts added.
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