sainsbury's store

Sainsbury’s has begun its search for a new chairman after it was reported that veteran David Tyler is set to step down.

The supermarket is working with headhunters to find candidates to replace Tyler, who has been in the role for almost eight years, according to Sky News.

Tyler is likely to step down next year, it is believed, although a departure date has yet to be agreed, sources close to Sainsbury’s said.

According to Sky News, the likeliest successor within the company is David Keens, who has been a non-executive director at Sainsbury’s since 2015 and is a former Next finance chief. However, one source close to the news channel said an external appointment was more likely.