Asda appoints former Morrisons chief as sales struggle continues
David Potts takes over as chief executive immediately as the UK supermarket chain seeks to reverse declining sales.
At a glance
- David Potts appointed chief executive of Asda with immediate effect
- Potts previously led Morrisons supermarket
- Allan Leighton moves from executive chair to non-executive strategic role
- Asda is the UK's third-largest supermarket chain
Asda has appointed David Potts, the former chief executive of Morrisons, to lead the UK's third-largest supermarket chain. Potts takes up the role with immediate effect as Asda works to address ongoing sales challenges.
Allan Leighton, who has served as executive chair since 2024, is stepping down from the day-to-day leadership role. He will transition to a non-executive position focused on the company's long-term strategic direction.
Why it matters
The appointment reflects Asda's efforts to stabilise operations and reverse sales declines through experienced leadership in the competitive UK supermarket sector.
Original reporting
- The Guardian — WorldAsda appoints former Morrisons boss as chief executive as sales struggle
- The Guardian — BusinessAsda appoints former Morrisons boss as chief executive as sales struggle
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.