Former Asda executive Paul Mason is returning to the UK to head up Somerfield.
Mason quit his post as president of European operations at Levi Strauss this week to become chief executive of the UK’s fifth-largest retailer.
Before the appointment was announced the former CEO of Matalan was rumoured to have been in line for the same job at Wm Morrison.
Since starting at Levi Strauss in Brussels in 2004, Mason has commuted from his family home in Leeds.
His return to the UK retail scene had been expected for some time but unlike the departure from Matalan in 2003 this time his move will be under more pleasant circumstances.
Mason is said to have quit the discount chain following continual clashes in style with its executive chairman, John Hargreaves.
Levi Strauss CEO Phil Marineau was full of praise for Mason, however.
“Paul has been a highly valued leader and colleague. I will personally miss his impressive energy, expertise and leadership, but I fully understand and appreciate his decision to return full time to England,” he said.
Meanwhile the future role of current Somerfield CEO Steve Back has not yet been publicised.
The retail chain reported mixed results for the last tax year. Pre-tax profits up to last April grew 63 per cent to £53.1m, while like-for-like sales fell 0.4 per cent.
