Chief executive, Sainsbury’s

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The Retail Leader of the Year 2009 has had another assured 12 months, and continues to make his mark on the wider retail and political scene. Whether as adviser to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson on the Olympics, or his stance on the subject of the proposed increase in National Insurance contributions, King is quite happy to put his head above the parapet on issues that concern him.

As smooth as they come, King has played the PR game effectively both internally and externally, but he is more than just a pretty face. He has brought the business back from the mess he found when he took charge six years ago. Against the expectations of many, Sainsbury’s has had a very good recession, combining a message of quality and price to good effect and countering concerns that its shoppers would trade down.

But like all the supermarkets, Sainsbury’s performance has been flattered by food price inflation. When King refused to comment on Sainsbury’s current trading at its prelims last month, it did nothing to alter perceptions that its performance has softened in recent months.

Former Asda and Mars man King will be keen to ensure that none of the ground made up since he took the helm in 2004 is lost - in what is going to be a tougher grocery market.

The question is what lies ahead for King. He was not interested in going back to Marks & Spencer to succeed Sir Stuart Rose (8), but he is not short of ambition or self-confidence.

Sainsbury’s new chairman David Tyler will be keen to make sure that the role continues to present enough of a challenge for its energetic chief executive.