Asda Names New President

-- Home Textiles Today, 5/24/2010 12:00:00 AM

London —

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has promoted chief operating officer Andy Clarke to president and ceo, effective immediately.

Clarke joined Asda in 1992 and worked in a variety of roles, including store manager, business unit director of grocery categories and was retail managing director for Asda's central division. Between 2001 and 2005, he held senior roles at Matalan and Iceland before returning to Asda as retail director. He was named Asda's chief operating officer in 2007.

As Clarke steps into his new position, Andy Bond will now become chairman of Asda's executive committee.

“I'm delighted to appoint Andy Clarke to be my successor,” said Andy Bond. “He was clearly the right choice from the internal and external candidates we considered. I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to ensure a smooth transition for Andy in his new role.”