Dynamic duo ushered in to replace Asda's Baker

Asda has promoted George managing director Andy Bond and retail development director Angela Spindler to become trading directors.

They jointly replace chief operating officer Richard Baker, who has jumped ship to Boots.

Bond will be responsible for non-food, including George, and Spindler for food along with marketing, merchandising and sourcing.

The retailer will appoint a replacement for Spindler's now vacant retail development director's role in due course. In the short-term, chief financial officer Judith McKenna will head that team, which is driving Asda's 'new space strategy', including store extensions and mezzanines.

Bond will continue to head George, but his responsibility for non-food trading will take in general merchandise and speciality, which includes jewellery, photo centres and opticians.

In an internal announcement, Asda's president and chief executive officer, Tony DeNunzio, said: 'Change is constant in our business, and we continue to drive our performance as a consequence of that healthy change dynamic.'

Robert Clark, research director at Retail Knowledge Bank, said: 'It's no mean feat that Asda has continued to perform strongly through internal promotions, given the number of senior management that have gone in the last few years.

'The question will be can they keep producing talent when the rest of the retail sector creams off their best people. Andy Bond has done a remarkable job with George and is well known, so I don't doubt the ability of the new incumbents, but there might begin to be a vacuum of talent at middle to low management.'