Home shopping group Shop Direct has poached Asda marketing director Jon Owen to lead its flagship brand Very.

Owen leaves after only a year in his role at the grocer, and his departure comes amid a turbulent time for Asda following the exit of its chief operating officer Simon King last week, who had been in the job just six months.

Owen will report into Shop Direct retail director Gareth Jones.

Very, which launched in 2009, was Shop Direct’s star performer over the past year according to Shop Direct chief executive Mark Newton-Jones. The brand is aimed at 25 to 45 year olds and focuses on celebrity fashion offers.