Royal Mail Chairman moves to Canada role

Royal Mail Chairman Allan Leighton has been named President of Canada’s biggest supermarkets chain, the troubled Loblaw.

Leighton is already Deputy Chairman of Loblaw, which is locked in battle with US rival Wal-Mart for market share.

He replaces Mark Foote, who is leaving along with Chief Financial Officer William Wells.

Leighton was Chief Executive of Asda before being recruited by Loblaw in 2006.

He takes the reins at a difficult time for Loblaw, whose bottom line has suffered from the price war with Wal-Mart.

The company said the executive changes come at a ‘crucial juncture’ but added that they will bring ‘more focus and clarity in our leadership structure’.

The chain’s profit has been stagnant at best for more than two years.

Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton has been named president of Canada’s biggest supermarkets chain, the troubled Loblaw.

Leighton is already deputy chairman of Loblaw, which is locked in battle with US rival Wal-Mart for market share.

He replaces Mark Foote, who is leaving along with chief financial officer William Wells.

Leighton was chief executive of Asda before being recruited by Loblaw in 2006.

He takes the reins at a difficult time for Loblaw, whose bottom line has suffered from the price war with Wal-Mart.

The company said the executive changes come at a ‘crucial juncture’ but added that they will bring ‘more focus and clarity in our leadership structure’.

The chain’s profit has been stagnant at best for more than two years.