Asda makes two promotions to strengthen its board

Karen Hubbard, currently operations director for Asda’s Supermarkets division, takes up a new role as executive director of store proposition.

Ellie Doohan, Asda’s general counsel, will join the grocer’s leadership team.

Hubbard joined Asda in 2009 and has led the creation of the division for smaller Asda stores, which will total around 180 by the end of this year. She has been responsible for the conversion of the former Netto stores, which she will complete on November 14 before taking up her new role.

In her new role she will be responsible for store development and property.

Doohan has been general counsel and company secretary for the past four years. She is also chair of International Produce, a Walmart subsidiary responsible for sourcing fresh produce.

Hubbard and Doohan’s promotion to the board means Asda now has four women on its executive team, alongside chief operating officer Judith McKenna and people director Hayley Tatum.

Asda chief executive Andy Clarke said: “Any successful business needs to combine the right blend of skills and experience and these changes will put us in an even stronger position to realise our strategic business goals and fulfil the simple customer ambition we set for ourselves – to save people money every day.”