THE FORMER Marks & Spencer chairman and Land Securities chairs were announced as fresh appointments to Asda's board of directors yesterday.

Asda said Lord Rose - formerly of Marks & Spencer - has been appointed chairman of the retailer while Dame Alison Carnwath - formerly of Vitec and Land Sec - will join as a non-executive director.

The pair are both directors of EG Group, whose founders - the billionaire Issa brothers - own Asda alongside TDR Capital.

There has been speculation of a full merge between EG and the supermarket.

Mohsin and Zuber Issa said the duo had "already provided invaluable support and wisdom to the board of EG Group."

The duo's insight would "add huge value at Asda too," the brothers said.

(c) 2021 City A.M., source Newspaper