Former Aldi boss Matthew Barnes could replace David Potts

Barnes, who led Aldi’s UK business until 2018, has reportedly entered the frame to become the new chief executive of Morrisons.

This Is Money reported that, since news of Tesco exec Jason Tarry’s rumoured interest in the job broke last week, Barnes’ name had also been mentioned as a potential successor. 

Barnes stepped down from his position as co-speaker of the executive board of Aldi’s parent company, Aldi Süd, last month. 

He was Aldi’s UK and Ireland chief executive from 2015 until 2018, when he landed the board role at Aldi Süd. He is widely credited with reinventing Aldi’s format and the transformation of the business in the UK.

Last week, it was reported that Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, the US private equity firm that owns Morrisons, had identified Tesco chief commercial officer Jason Tarry as a potential successor. 

The Morrisons owner has been working with headhunter Egon Zehnder to fill a number of roles in the supermarket’s leadership team, including finding a replacement for chief operating officer Trevor Strain, who left last year. 

This Is Money said a number of candidates have been singled out as potential chief executives, including some who have already been approached by the headhunter.

One source quoted in the report said an announcement on Potts’ replacement could be “imminent”, although the length of executive contracts means it could take up to a year for a new boss to be installed.

David Potts has not yet resigned and is not expected to leave until 2024 after almost a decade at the helm. 

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