Asda has begun the new year with several new appointments to its executive board, including a new chief operating officer and chief customer officer.

In a message to staff, chief executive Roger Burnley announced that Anna-Maree Shaw will become chief customer officer at the end of January, replacing Andy Murray, who is repatriating to the US after four years with the supermarket chain.

Shaw is the managing director of her own company Customer Dialogue and is currently working at the University of Queensland, in her native Australia, developing a digital strategy as part of its customer experience programme. Prior to this, she held chief marketing officer roles in Australia and in the UK retail sector.

Asda’s senior vice president of operations Anthony Hemmerdinger has been promoted to chief operating officer, expanding his remit across technology and property.

Meanwhile, Helen Selby will join as general counsel and company secretary, following Alex Simpson’s departure last year. She trained in private practice before moving into in-house roles, primarily in food retail manufacturing and grocery firms like Hovis and Mars Wrigley UK.

Finally, Mark Simpson, who joined Asda in 1997 as a graduate and has held roles within both retail and supply functions, has been appointed to the board as chief supply chain officer.

The new appointments will join chief people officer Hayley Tatum, chief merchandising officer Derek Lawlor and chief financial officer Rob McWilliam within Asda’s leadership team.

Burnley commented: “As we kick off 2020 I am very confident that not only do we have the right team in place, but also the right strategy to make sure we can continue to serve our customers and grow our business, not just for this year but beyond.”

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