Jo Whitfield will soon join Asda as a non-executive director. She brings extensive experience from her eight years at Asda between 2008 and 2016, where she held various key positions.
Following her tenure at Asda, Whitfield served as chief executive of the Co-op’s food division for five years. During this period, she received a CBE in the 2021 New Year Honours for her exceptional contributions amid the Covid pandemic.
Most recently, Whitfield worked as the CEO of clothing retailer Matalan until last year. Additionally, she currently holds board positions at Factory International and The Grocery Girls.
In her new role at Asda, Whitfield will focus specifically on fostering the growth of Asda Express, the retailer’s convenience store brand.
“Jo is one of the UK’s most experienced retail leaders and has a deep knowledge of the food retail, convenience and fashion markets,” stated Asda executive chair Allan Leighton.
“She also understands Asda’s DNA and the role this business plays in delivering value for hard-working families. We are delighted to welcome her back to Asda.”
Getting Asda ‘back on track’
Before entering the retail sector, Whitfield was a qualified accountant who worked with Ernst & Young and served as the financial controller at Northern Foods.
In reflecting on her return, Whitfield praised Asda for being one of the “biggest names in retail”, highlighting its “important role in the daily lives of millions of customers and communities throughout the UK.”
“It is a business that I have a strong affinity with and I look forward to working with Allan and the rest of the leadership team to help Asda get back on track,” she indicated.
Recently, Asda’s leadership structure has seen significant changes, with Leighton returning to the business as executive chair last year.
This news coincides with the recent appointment of new chief supply chain officer David Lepley, who joined Asda from Morrisons in January.
