Sainsbury's has announced that chief financial officer John Rogers will take the helm at Argos once the supermarket's acquisition of Home Retail Group is complete.
Mr Rogers will replace John Walden, current chief executive at HRG, who announced last week that he would be leaving Argos once the deal completes. This is expected to happen during the third trading quarter this year.
Mr Rogers will have responsibility for combining Sainsbury's non-food business with Argos as well as taking on the on-going digital transformation and performance of HRG. He will remain a member of the Sainsbury's group operating board, and the J Sainsbury plc board.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury's group finance director Ed Baker will be appointed chief financial officer at the supermarket on an interim basis.
Said Sainsbury's chief executive Mike Coupe: "I am delighted to appoint John as Chief Executive of HRG upon completion of our proposed acquisition of the business. John is a highly talented member of the team and has played a major role in delivering our performance and strategy at Sainsbury's. John's expertise goes beyond his finance role; his leadership expertise in strategy, digital, online and property make John the ideal candidate to lead HRG and ensure we deliver our ambition to be the leading multi-channel, multi-product retailer of choice for customers.
"Ed has extensive senior finance experience within retail, including eight years at Sainsbury's. His in-depth knowledge of the business as well as his proven leadership of the Group Finance function will serve our business well during this interim period. We will now undertake a thorough search process for John's permanent replacement."
John Rogers added: "The combination of Sainsbury's and Argos is an exciting one for customers, colleagues and shareholders. I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead and work with the talented teams at HRG and to develop the business further as one of the UK's leading retailers."