Pub group boss joins Morrisons

Rooney Anand will also join the board of Bradford-based supermarket senior independent director, from January 1.

Mr Anand has a great deal of retail and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) exeprience, following a career with United Biscuits and then Sara Lee.

He joined Greene King Plc in 2001 as Managing Director of its Brewery Company and was appointed CEO in 2005.

Mr Anand transformed Greene King from a regional brewery and pub business, to a brand-led pub, restaurant and hotel operator. Recently helping Greene King complete its £770m takeover of the Spirit Pub Group.

Andrew Higginson, chairman of Morrisons praised Mr Anand and said that his appointment to the board completed the renewal of the board at the supermarket.

Morrisons, alongside the other big four supermarkets - Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s, has struggled to cope with the rise of discount rivals Aldi and Lidl. Earlier this month Morrisons was relegated from the FTSE 100, leading some commentators to speculate that it could become a takeover target.

Speaking about Mr Anand’s appointment, Mr Higginson, said: “Rooney had the vision at the start of the credit crunch to reinvent Greene King as a branded food based pub retailer. He is a widely admired and successful Plc CEO.

“His experience in retail, in FMCG and in turning around the fortunes of a major retail business, will all be put to good use at Morrisons.

“With the recent appointments of Irwin Lee, Belinda Richards, Paula Vennells and Neil Davidson, I am also pleased to say that Rooney’s appointment completes the process of renewing and rebuilding the Board of Morrisons.”

This year Morrisons has seen great change in the boardroom, sacking chief executive Dalton Philips and replacing him with David Potts.

Mr Anand said: “I am excited about joining the team at Morrisons, a company I have long admired. I look forward to working with Andy and the Board to help to contribute to the Company’s return to the forefront of the British supermarket industry.”