11th July 2018
J Sainsbury PLC announces appointment of new Non-Executive Chairman
J Sainsbury PLC (Sainsbury's) has agreed to appoint Martin Scicluna as its new Non-Executive Chairman. Martin will join the Board as Chairman-Designate and Non-Executive Director from 1st November 2018. Martin will work closely with David Tyler for a handover period and Sainsbury's anticipates that Martin will assume the role of Chairman from the beginning of the new financial year in March 2019 or soon after, at which point David Tyler would step down from the Board.
Sainsbury's announced in April that it had begun a search for a new Chairman, led by Senior Independent Director Dame Susan Rice and the Nomination Committee, as David Tyler is approaching nine years' service as Chairman.
Dame Susan, Sainsbury's Senior Independent Director, who led the search, said:
“David has been an outstanding steward of Sainsbury's during his time as Chairman, providing invaluable strategic counsel and guidance, including on the acquisition of Home Retail Group and the proposed combination of Sainsbury's and Asda. We are grateful for his substantive and important ongoing contribution. Martin brings a breadth of experience and leadership and we look forward to welcoming him to the Sainsbury's Board at this pivotal time for the business.”
Martin Scicluna said:
“I'm delighted to join Sainsbury's, a company I have long admired for its clear customer focus and its strong values. Mike Coupe and his management team have positioned the business for a successful future of delivering significant value for shareholders, customers and other stakeholders. I am looking forward to working with Mike and his team and my new Board colleagues.”
David Tyler said:
“I have greatly enjoyed my nine years as Chairman of Sainsbury's. The retail industry has undergone immense change during this period and we have transformed our business so that it can continue to succeed in the medium and long term. I remain fully involved in and committed to the business and look forward to welcoming Martin to the Board.”