UK retailer Asda said it expects to announce a replacement for its chief merchandising officer Darren Blackhurst in the next couple of weeks following reports of an interim replacement.

Reports this morning (11 May) suggested Asda marketing chief Rick Bendel will oversee trading operations on interim basis, following the sudden departure of Blackhurst last week.

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However, a spokesperson for the retailer told just-food: “Rick has always been involved in the trading side of the business but in the interim, the trade commercial directors will take over Darren’s role and continue to run the trading floor.”

Blackhurst left the company last week, sparking fresh speculation over who is set to become the UK retailer’s next chief executive.

In an internal announcement, president and CEO Andy Bond, who is set to step down from the roles, said that with the pending change in CEO, he had had discussions about Blackhurst’s future and he is taking some “time out” before ultimately pursuing his career elsewhere.

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