Kristian Horabin, the Managing Director of Asda’s commercial business, is set to depart.
- Horabin’s role at Asda included overseeing the retailer’s food service divisions.
- He joined Asda in 2022 and was promoted in October 2023.
- His departure was announced by Kris Comerford, Asda’s Chief Commercial Officer.
- The leadership team at Asda has seen several recent changes, including other high-level appointments.
Kristian Horabin, the current Managing Director of Asda’s commercial business, has announced his departure from the company. Having joined Asda in June 2022 as vice president of commercial food, Horabin was promoted to his present role in October 2023. During his tenure, he was responsible for leading the retailer’s food service divisions, encompassing brands such as Leon, along with healthcare, non-edible grocery, drinks, fuel, and kiosk sectors.
Horabin’s exit from Asda was communicated by Kris Comerford, the Chief Commercial Officer for food, who informed suppliers of this development via email. Comerford’s message, reported by The Grocer, stated, “I wanted to share with you that after two years with the business, Kristian Horabin has decided to leave us to take up an opportunity outside of Asda and the retail sector.” Horabin will fulfil his notice period, remaining with Asda until March of the following year, during which he will continue supervising his current responsibilities and facilitate a smooth handover.
The announcement of Horabin’s departure comes shortly after Asda’s leadership witnessed another significant change. Mohsin Issa has stepped back from his executive leadership role to concentrate on his responsibilities as the sole CEO of EG Group. In the interim, Asda’s chairman Stuart Rose will assume Issa’s executive duties alongside Rob Hattrell, a director from TDR Capital on the supermarket’s board.
Amid these leadership changes, Asda has recently appointed several new senior executives. These include Matt Kelleher, the former Chief Information Officer at Morrisons, as Asda’s first Chief Digital Officer, and David Devany, previously from Iceland Group, as Vice President for e-commerce. Additionally, Matt Heslop from Lidl has been appointed to head Asda’s stores and depots operation, which includes the management of 470 convenience stores in the newly formed Asda Express division.
Asda’s leadership has undergone substantial restructuring, marked by key departures and new appointments.
