Former Asda boss and retail heavyweight Andy Clarke to chair Edinburgh's Menzies Distribution

Former Asda chief executive Andy Clarke has been appointed chairman of Menzies Distribution, the logistics business spun out of Edinburgh-based John Menzies.

Under Andy Clarke’s leadership from 2010 to 2016 Asda reached the number two position in the UK grocery market. Picture: Dan Jones/VisualMedia

Clarke joins the company as non-executive chairman following its recent “transformational” acquisition of Bibby Distribution.

Under Clarke’s leadership from 2010 to 2016 Asda reached the number two position in the UK grocery market, behind Tesco, and its George clothing operation became the highest volume clothing brand in the UK.

In his earlier career, he held roles at Morrisons, Matalan and Iceland, as well as working with strategy consultancy McKinsey & Partners.

Since stepping down from Asda, Clarke has developed a portfolio career. He is currently chairman of operational performance specialist Newton Europe, chairman of Leeds-Bradford Airport, chairman of independent pharmaceutical company Immodulon Therapeutics, chairman of retail technology business Spoon Guru and advisor to Scots potato supplier Albert Bartlett.

Greg Michael, chief executive of Menzies Distribution, said: “Andy is an influential figure in British business and I am delighted to welcome him to the Menzies board. His breadth of experience as a chairman, as well as a superb track record in several sectors relevant to Menzies, will be invaluable as we enter the next phase of our ambitious plan for growth.”

Clarke said: “I’m excited to be joining Menzies at such an exciting stage of its journey. I look forward to working closely with Greg and the senior team as Menzies capitalises on the many compelling opportunities ahead to cement its position as a major force in UK logistics.”

In December, the Edinburgh-headquartered group announced the acquisition of Bibby Distribution from the 213-year-old, family-owned Bibby Line Group, for an undisclosed sum.

Bosses said the deal would “unlock geographic potential” while adding 38 operating sites and a large fleet to Menzies’ vast business.

The Scots firm distributes newspapers and magazines to almost half of the UK, and provides retail logistics and parcel delivery services to some 30,000 locations each day and employs 3,700 people. The business has a turnover in excess of £1 billion.

The combined business will amount to almost 5,000 employees, 4,000 vehicles and some 100 depot locations.

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