Finance

Britain's M&S names former Asda boss Roger Burnley as director

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 30, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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Britain's M&S names former Asda boss Roger Burnley as director
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LONDON (Reuters) -British retailer Marks & Spencer on Thursday named Roger Burnley, the former boss of supermarket Asda, as a non-executive director, beefing-up the board's food expertise after Justin

Marks & Spencer Appoints Former Asda CEO Roger Burnley as Director

M&S Board Expansion and Strategic Insights

LONDON (Reuters) -British retailer Marks & Spencer on Thursday named Roger Burnley, the former boss of supermarket Asda, as a non-executive director, beefing-up the board's food expertise after Justin King, the former boss of Sainsbury's, stepped down last month.

Roger Burnley's Background and Experience

Burnley was chief executive of Asda for three years until 2021 and prior to that was chief operating officer. Before joining Asda he was retail and operations director at Sainsbury's. He will join M&S on December 1.

Impact of Cyber Hack on M&S

"Roger brings extensive experience in the food retail industry and supply chain transformation which will be invaluable as we enter the next phase of our plan to reshape M&S for growth," M&S chairman Archie Norman said.

Future Plans and Financial Outlook

Earlier this month, M&S, which is recovering from a damaging cyber hack in April, said it had extended Norman's tenure as chairman for three more years from September 2026.

Prior to the cyberattack, M&S was beginning to reap the benefits of a comprehensive turnaround plan that has been running since 2022, with the group achieving its highest annual profit performance in over 15 years in its 2024/25 year.

M&S will report first-half results on November 5.

(Reporting by James Davey, Editing by Paul Sandle)

Key Takeaways

  • Roger Burnley joins M&S as a non-executive director.
  • Burnley brings extensive food retail experience.
  • M&S aims to reshape for growth post-cyber hack.
  • M&S achieved highest profit in 15 years in 2024/25.
  • M&S to report first-half results on November 5.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a non-executive director?
A non-executive director is a member of a company's board who does not engage in the day-to-day management but provides oversight and strategic guidance.
What is a cyber hack?
A cyber hack is an unauthorized intrusion into a computer system or network, often resulting in data theft or damage.
What is corporate governance?
Corporate governance refers to the systems, principles, and processes by which companies are directed and controlled, ensuring accountability and transparency.
What is a turnaround plan?
A turnaround plan is a strategy implemented by a company to improve its financial performance and operational efficiency after facing difficulties.

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