Nursery and babycare retailer Mamas & Papas has named former Asda finance director Sarah Ashby as its new chief financial officer.

Ashby, who currently sits on the Asda Foundation board as a trustee, took up her new role in January.

Most recently, Ashby was senior finance director of projects, mergers and acquisitions at the grocery giant. Before that, she was senior finance director for George at Asda before being promoted to oversee clothing and general merchandise.

Ashby has also held senior roles at McVitie’s owner Pladis Global, Kraft Heinz and Procter & Gamble among others.

The news comes after Mamas & Papas posted a bumper Black Friday, with sales up 18% during the three-week promotional period.

With sales increasing by 17% for the 13 weeks to December 31, 2023, and underlying EBITDA soaring by 50% year on year, the retailer said it expects to deliver record turnover and profit for the full year to March 2024.