Allan Leighton, who stands down as Royal Mail chairman next year, has revealed he may return to the UK in a retail chief executive role.

Speaking to Retail Week, Leighton – famed for turning around Asda in the 1990s – said that although he is “heavily involved” in his role as president of Canadian retailer Loblaw, he would consider a more permanent position in the UK in the future.

“Wait and see is the stock answer,” he said. “I’m sure at some stage I’ll do something in the UK.

“I’ve always been involved in retail in the UK and I’ve no doubt that will continue. I’ve been in retail in the last 20 years; I expect to be in it for the next 20 years too.”