Operating Board appointment

Sainsbury(J) PLC
08 October 2007


October 8, 2007

SAINSBURY'S ANNOUNCES NEW OPERATING BOARD APPOINTMENT


Sainsbury's has appointed Dido Harding to the role of convenience director. She
will join Sainsbury's in the Spring of 2008 and will also be a member of the
company's Operating Board.  Dido is currently with Tesco where she has held a
variety of senior roles both in their UK and international businesses. She has
considerable retail experience, including strategic roles at Kingfisher and
Thomas Cook, and began her career as a consultant with McKinsey.

Dido will take over from Lawrence Christensen who has been leading the division
since June 2006, and who was previously Sainsbury's supply chain director for
two years. Lawrence will continue to lead Sainsbury's Convenience until Dido
arrives and completes a period of induction.

Justin King, Sainsbury's chief executive said: 'We're delighted to welcome Dido
to Sainsbury's and look forward to her arrival. I am also very grateful to
Lawrence for the significant contribution he has made to developing our
convenience business.  I am sure his support will be invaluable to Dido as we
welcome her to the business.

'Growing our presence in the convenience channel has been an important part of
our Making Sainsbury's Great Again plans. We've made great progress over the
past three years, both through acquisitions and also new store openings, but we
know there is further potential. Dido's combination of marketing, trading and
operational experience means she is ideally qualified to lead the next stage of
this development.'

Sainsbury's currently operates 305 convenience stores, and recently acquired 15
stores from Kwik Save. In 2004, the Company committed to growing sales in the
Convenience division by £400m by March 2008. In addition, new 3-year targets
were set out in May 2007 with plans to open 100 new convenience stores by March
2010.



                                    - Ends -



Enquiries:

Investor Relations                                      Media
Elliot Jordan   [phone]                    Pip Wood [phone]



Notes

Dido Harding career summary:

  • 2001-to date, Tesco Plc
      • 2006 to date, CEO Development Program
      • 2004-2006 International Support Director
      • 2001-2004 Commercial Director, Added Value Foods (UK)
  • 1998-2001, Kingfisher Plc
  • 1995-1998, Thomas Cook Ltd
  • 1988-1995, McKinsey & Co



Sainsbury's Operating Board members:

  • Justin King, chief executive officer*
  • Darren Shapland, chief financial officer*
  • Mike Coupe, trading director*
  • Roger Burnley, supply chain director
  • Ken McMeikan, retail director
  • Imelda Walsh, HR director
  • Gwyn Burr, customer director



*Also members of J Sainsbury plc Board


                      This information is provided by RNS
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