Former M&S chief Lord Rose being lined up as next chairman of Asda

Former Marks & Spencer CEO Lord Rose is reportedly set to become the next chairman of supermarket chain Asda.

Lord Rose – who was CEO at M&S from 2004 and 2008 when he became executive chairman until 2011 – has been lined up by Asda's new owners Zuber and Moshin Issa. Rose is already chair of the Issa brothers' petrol station business EG Group.

The move to appoint Rose comes shortly after the abrupt departure of Asda CEO Roger Burnley earlier this month and would mark a return to the grocery sector for Rose who chaired online grocer Ocado until May of this year.

It has been reported by The Times that Rose may be parachuted in to Asda to act as CEO while a search for Burnley gets underway. However it is said that some potential CEO candidates have been hesitant about the role until it becomes clear how hands on the Issa brothers will be when it comes to running the business.

Stuart Rose is one of the most seasoned retail executives in the business and prior to holding the top job at M&S, he was CEO at former fashion retail giant Arcadia, Argos and Booker.

Since standing down from M&S he has held a number of chairman and non-executive director roles including at Ocado, Fat Face, Dressipi and South Africa's Woolworths Holdings.