// Meghan Farren is returning to KFC as general manager, less than a year after joining Asda
// Farren left KFC last year to become Asda’s chief customer officer but will return in the autumn as general manager for the UK and Ireland
Asda chief customer officer Meghan Farren is leaving the supermarket after less than a year in the post.
Farren is returning to KFC, the fast food chain she spent 10 years on the chief customer officer role at Asda last July. She will become KFC’s general manager for the UK and Ireland
Since joining the supermarket, Farren has led campaigns including the launch of its £45m ‘Dropped and Locked’ investment this April.
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As she departs, Farren’s role will be handed on an interim basis to Sam Dickson, VP of brand and proposition.
Dickson joined Asda in 2021 from Waitrose and has led the reinvention of Asda’s Extra Special and Smart Price ranges, including the launch of its new value range, Just Essentials.
In further people changes at the grocer, Mike Snell, who has led Asda’s commercial team on an interim basis, will hand over to former Tesco exec Kris Comerford over the summer.
Comerford was poached by Asda earlier this year. Snell will leave Asda in September to take on a new role.
Asda co-owner Mohsin Issa said: “We are truly sad to see Meg leave Asda, but also incredibly proud to see her take on this new opportunity to lead KFC in the UK and Ireland,”
“During her time with us she has led the customer team and our vision and purpose work with passion and creativity. She leaves us with a great legacy, and we wish her all the best for the future.”
KFC Global CEO Sabir Sami said: “Meg’s impact on the KFC brand extends far beyond her 10-year career with our UKI business. From innovation director in 2011 to her more recent role as chief marketing officer from 2015 to 2021, Meg became well renowned for her bold and brave creative leadership, a champion for our unique culture and her people first approach.
“Meg is an exceptional leader, her people-grower capability has inspired and developed the UKI team into a hub for the next generation of leaders at KFC. I am thrilled to welcome Meg back to KFC and excited to see the UK & I business continue to grow under her leadership.”
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