Incoming Sainsbury’s boss Mike Coupe will take over from Justin King in July. Retail Week takes a look at the physics graduate’s career so far and what makes him tick.

While Coupe has big shoes to fill – King is one of the most admired FTSE chief executives, responsible for restoring Sainsbury’s to growth, and a confident voice for the food sector both in the industry and Government – he has been a key part of the grocer’s strategic vision as King’s wingman.

Coupe, 53, has been at Sainsbury’s for nearly 10 years, and has been an integral part of the grocer’s success. Currently responsible for trading, marketing, supply chain, IT and online, Coupe has led initiatives such as Brand Match which is a key part of the grocer’s marketing arsenal.

Before joining Sainsbury’s, Coupe was managing director of Iceland Food Stores and a board director of Big Food Group. He also previously worked at Asda – where he first met King – and Tesco.

The son of an inventor, Coupe started his career at Unilever.

Shore Capital analyst Clive Black said Coupe represents “continuity” for Sainsbury’s. He said he has been “very effective” in his commercial role and added: “No doubt further out Mr Coupe will become his own man and we’ll watch and wait to see how the business’ strategy evolves thereafter.”

Coupe is married with two daughters. He describes himself as a keen “but average” guitarist and is also a keen cyclist.

He will receive a salary of £900,000 when he takes over in July.

CV

Sainsbury’s (Oct 2004-present)

  • Jan 2014  - chief executive designate and group commercial director
  • July 2010  - group commercial director (trading, marketing, supply chain, IT & online)
  • Aug 2007  - appointed to PLC Board as executive director
  • Oct 2004   - joined JS as trading director and member of the operating board

 Big Food Group plc (2001-04)

  • 2001-2004 - board director and managing director Iceland Food Stores

 Asda (1993-2001)     

  • 1999-2001      trading director – grew sales and profit by c40% over 3 years. Launched EDLP pricing and rollback. Started Asda e-commerce business
  • 1997-1999      IT and central operations director
  • 1996-1997      central operations director and member of operating board
  • 1993-1996      managing director of Dales Discount chain

Tesco (1985-1992)

  • 1990-1992      business unit director for Household Products
  • 1987-1990      marketing manager
  • 1985-1987      product manager, Fresh Foods

 Unilever (1983-1985) 

  • UCMDS marketing trainee (Van den Burghs) assistant brand manager for Flora

 

Other:          

2012-present  i2c (Insight 2 Communication) board member since its inception

2011-present  Greene King plc Non-Executive Director and also Birmingham Business School Mentor

Born:             26th Sept 1960 (53 years old), born in Watford but brought up in West Sussex (a country boy at heart, says Sainsbury’s)

Parents:         Dad was an inventor/scientist/engineer/entrepreneur who set up and ran his own business selling medical equipment. Mum was a housewife

Family:           Married to Jill for 22 years with two daughters (18 and 21)

Interests:        Playing the guitar and cycling (has biked London to Paris twice for charity). Enjoys photography. Spends most weekends ‘chasing his children around Yorkshire’

Education:      Weald Comprehensive School – 9 O levels, 4 A levels

                     University of Birmingham (1979-82) BSc (Hons) Physics