Morrisons has made a decisive move by appointing Andrew Staniland, a seasoned executive from Iceland, as its new Group Trading Director. This strategic appointment, effective from February 2025, signals Morrisons’ commitment to strengthening its senior management team.
Staniland’s tenure at Iceland, where he served as Trading Director and eventually Group Trading Director over the past four years, has been marked by significant contributions to the company’s operations. His transition to Morrisons comes amidst industry speculations surrounding his expected move to Asda to replace former commercial director Paul Gillow. The reality of this move, however, remains uncertain.
The executive brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at renowned supermarket chains, including Waitrose and Aldi. Notably, this new position at Morrisons is not Staniland’s first encounter with the company; he previously held roles as a buyer and buying manager from 2012 to 2016. This familiarity is likely to enhance his integration into the company, potentially yielding impactful results.
Rami Baitiéh, Morrisons CEO, expressed confidence in Staniland’s abilities, highlighting his strong track record in senior roles at Iceland and Aldi. ‘Andrew is an exceptional talent, and I am very pleased to welcome him to Morrisons as the strengthening of our senior team continues,’ Baitiéh remarked.
In addition to Staniland’s appointment, there’s a strategic reshuffling within Morrisons’ leadership team. James Badger, formerly the Group Commercial Director, will transition to a new role as Group Strategy and Transformation Director. This move is indicative of Morrisons’ broader strategy to optimise its leadership dynamic and drive transformation.
Baitiéh also acknowledged the contributions of James Badger in his previous role and conveyed his optimism about Badger’s potential impact in his new capacity. These changes underscore Morrisons’ proactive approach to adapting its leadership to meet evolving market demands.
With Andrew Staniland’s appointment and the strategic reorganisation of its leadership team, Morrisons is positioning itself for future growth and innovation. The company is clearly focused on leveraging experienced talent to navigate the competitive supermarket landscape.
