Asda has lost marketing director Richard Hodgson to Waitrose, where he is set to become buying director after quitting the Leeds-based supermarket after five months in the role.
The former Asda brand director will be the most senior marketer at Waitrose and one of the three top directors.
He will be responsible for merchandising, store design and food technology.
Hodgson created a stir when, soon after taking on the marketing role at Asda, he described it as his job to ‘undo’ the marketing brands sold by the retail giant, and instead promote its own-label offering.
Hodgson’s responsibilities are expected to be handled by director of retail marketing Katherine Patterson until Asda finds an external candidate to take on the role.