Sainsbury's names new Retail & Operations Director

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Sep 30, 2016

Simon Roberts, previous Executive Vice President of Walgreens Boots Alliance and President of Boots in the UK & Ireland, is to join Sainsbury's as new Retail & Operations Director in July 2017, it emerged on Friday.

He will report to Chief Executive Mike Coupe and be a member of Sainsbury's Operating Board.

Roberts is a seasoned retail executive. In addition to working for Boots, he spent 14 years at Marks & Spencer, where he held a variety of roles in stores and operations.

Mike Coupe, Chief Executive of J Sainsbury Plc, said: “I am delighted to welcome Simon to Sainsbury’s. Simon is a very strong leader who is passionate about customers and colleagues.  He has extensive stores experience, is customer-centric in everything he does and I am confident he will make a fantastic contribution to Sainsbury's and the Operating Board.”

Simon Roberts said: “I am thrilled to be joining Sainsbury’s, a brand I have admired and respected for many years, and particularly at such an exciting time for the business following its acquisition of Home Retail Group. I am really looking forward to joining Mike and the team and working with the 165,000 colleagues across Sainsbury's stores and operations to help customers live well for less.”