Ex-Asda chief executive takes on discounter role

FORMER Asda chief executive Andy Bond has taken on the top role at Poundland after Kevin O’Byrne resigned to move to Sainsbury’s.

Mr Bond has been involved in South African businessman Christo Weise’s venture Steinhoff, spearheading the launch of Pep&Co and running general merchandising business.

He has now stepped into the breach at Poundland, which was acquired by Steinhoff in September this year in a deal worth £610m.

Mr O’Byrne was at the single-price discounter for just seven months, after joining in April and becoming chief executive in July.

He will become chief financial officer at Sainsbury’s, taking on the role from 9 January 2017.

Mr Bond was chief executive at Asda until he resigned in 2010. He joined the company in 1994.