Former Tesco director Barney Burgess joins Asda to lead online operations.
- Burgess will take on the role of interim vice president of online.
- He brings 25 years of experience in retail and financial sectors.
- Burger’s previous role included instrumental work on Tesco’s online grocery service.
- David Devany is set to permanently fill the position next year.
Barney Burgess, a former director at Tesco, has been appointed as the interim vice president of online for Asda, a well-recognised move in the retail sector. Asda’s decision to appoint Burgess highlights the company’s strategic direction in strengthening its ecommerce operations until the arrival of David Devany next year. This interim period is crucial for maintaining and potentially expanding Asda’s online presence, especially as digital operations continue to be a significant focus for consumer markets.
With his extensive background, Burgess will lead Asda.com, George.com, and other online operational teams, and will report directly to Chief Digital Officer Matt Kelleher. His professional journey spans over 25 years, touching various aspects of retail, consumer, and financial services both domestically and internationally. Burgess’ experience includes a notable tenure at Tesco, where he played a pivotal role in the launch of the supermarket’s click-and-collect service in the UK. This service was a substantial development in making online grocery shopping more accessible and convenient for customers, indicating Burgess’ capability in driving innovative solutions.
In addition to his leadership at Tesco, Burgess has also lent his expertise to consulting, specifically with McKinsey, where he advised online grocery businesses on enhancing their operational strategies. This consulting background will be invaluable to Asda as it seeks to optimise its online offerings. Burgess’ role as a consultant enhances his perspective on operational efficiencies and strategic growth, aligning with Asda’s objectives of increasing ecommerce competency.
David Devany is scheduled to take over Burgess’ responsibilities next year as the permanent vice president of ecommerce. Devany, who brings his own wealth of experience from his tenure at Iceland, where he served as the group chief marketing, customer, and digital officer, will step into a role that has been strategically prepared and shaped by Burgess’ interim leadership. The transition underscores the dynamic nature of senior roles in major retail chains as they adapt to market demands and employee shifts.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated move, Morrisons has successfully recruited former Iceland executive Andrew Staniland as its new group trading director, a role initially speculated to be tied to Asda’s restructuring. Such high-profile movements in leadership reflect the ongoing shifts in the competitive landscape of the grocery market.
Barney Burgess’ appointment as interim vice president of online at Asda marks a significant step in the retailer’s strategic enhancement of its digital operations.
