Asda Names David Potts, Former Morrisons Boss, Chief Executive

Asda has appointed David Potts, a former boss of Morrisons, as its chief executive with immediate effect, The Guardian reported. The newspaper said the appointment comes as the chain continues to struggle to lift sales.

According to The Guardian, Mr Potts is 69 years old. The paper described Asda as the third largest supermarket in the United Kingdom. Its executive chair, Allan Leighton, who is 73, is stepping back to a non-executive strategic role. The summary of the Guardian report available for this story is cut off partway through its description of Mr Leighton, so further detail on his new role could not be confirmed from it.

BBC News reported the same appointment under the headline "Asda hires ex-Morrisons boss in bid to grow firm" in a report. The BBC said Mr Potts takes charge of Asda, which is based in Leeds, with immediate effect. The BBC summary available here gives no further detail.

The two reports agree on the central facts: the appointment of Mr Potts as chief executive and its immediate effect. They differ in emphasis. The Guardian placed the move against the chain's weak sales, while the BBC framed it as an effort to grow the business. Neither summary states what targets, if any, the new chief executive has been given.

The summaries of both reports are brief, and the full articles may contain further detail that could not be checked for this account.

Sources: The Guardian: Asda appoints former Morrisons boss as chief executive as sales struggle; BBC News: Asda hires ex-Morrisons boss in bid to grow firm.