Leon in Asda

Another senior member of Asda’s management team is to depart, after it was revealed Kristian Horabin is to leave the retailer to take up an opportunity outside the retail sector.

Horabin was hired from Aldi by Asda co-owner Mohsin Issa in June 2022 as VP of commercial food.

He was then promoted to become MD of Asda’s foodservice division, including Leon, healthcare, non-edible grocery, and fuel and kiosks, in October 2023.

His departure was announced to suppliers this week by Asda chief commercial officer for food Kris Comerford. 

In an email to suppliers, he said: “I wanted to share with you that after two years with the business, Kristian Horabin has decided to leave us to take up an opportunity outside of Asda and the retail sector.

“Kristian will be working his notice period, so will still be with us until March next year continuing to lead our fuel, non-edible, drinks, healthcare, food services and Leon business and supporting in preparing a handover. 

Previously Horabin had held various roles in Aldi’s commercial team across ambient, fresh and GM.

His departure is the latest in a frantic period for the supermarket.

Last week, it was announced Issa was to step down from his executive leadership role at the supermarket, to be replaced by a new leadership team headed by chairman Stuart Rose.

It emerged Rose, the former Marks & Spencer boss who became Asda chairman in 2021, would run Asda alongside Rob Hattrell, a partner at joint owner TDR Capital, with the supermarket still searching for a new CEO as it struggles in the battle for supermarket share.

In July, Asda announced a number of management changes, including the departure of chief transformation officer Mark Simpson, who it said was leaving the business “by mutual consent”. Simpson was an Asda veteran who held a number of senior roles since joining the business in 1997.