Asda’s legal chief steps down for Amazon role

AMAZON has hired the legal chief behind Asda’s failed £7.3bn merger with Sainsbury’s in a move that strengthens its ties to the UK grocery market.

Alex Simpson, Asda’s general counsel and company secretary, was responsible for its legal advice over the bid. In a memo to staff, chief executive Roger Burnley said Mr Simpson had “decided the time is right” to leave Asda. “Alex has been part of the executive team since 2013, during which time he has built and successfully led teams of lawyers and colleagues, managing some of the very complex legal challenges that we have faced,” he said.

Mr Simpson, who joined the Walmart-owned supermarket chain in 2010 as legal director, is leaving on Sept 12. Philip Titchmarsh will head Asda’s legal team until the grocer finds a successor, although the headhunting process is yet to begin.

In April, the competition watchdog blocked the Sainsbury’s and Asda tie-up saying it would lead to higher prices.

Mr Burnley added: “Alex has been a strong and inclusive leader and has built a professional and very capable legal team. He has also provided us, and Walmart, with impeccable legal judgment, a strong knowledge of the business and uncompromising integrity.”

Mr Simpson is also nonexecutive director at the Institute of Directors. He was previously group commercial lawyer at Northern Foods, now 2 Sisters – the UK’S largest supplier of supermarket chicken, and has advised blue-chip and consumer goods businesses in his previous roles.