LONDON (Reuters) - Supermarket Asda (N:WMT), the British arm of Wal-Mart (N:WMT), said on Tuesday it had appointed Roger Burnley, currently the retail and operations director of rival Sainsbury 's (L:SBRY), to be its new chief operating officer.
Because he is employed by a direct competitor, Asda said it will be some time next year before Burnley joins Asda, where he will report to Chief Executive Andy Clarke.
Sainsbury's said in a statement Burnley had left the grocer with immediate effect.
Burnley previously worked for Asda between 1996 and 2002. He has also worked for Matalan.