Simon Roberts (businessman)

Simon Roberts
Born
Simon John Roberts

(1971-01-26) 26 January 1971 (age 53)
Croydon, London, England
EducationPurley Sixth Form College
TitleCEO, Sainsbury's
Term2020–present
PredecessorMike Coupe

Simon John Roberts (born 26 January 1971) is a British businessman, and the chief executive officer (CEO) of Sainsbury's since 1 June 2020, having previously been retail operations director. He is a former managing director of Boots UK.

Early life

He was born in Croydon, and brought up in South London, attending Purley Sixth Form College.[citation needed]

Career

He started his career working for Marks & Spencer (M&S) aged 15. He was at M&S for sixteen years, becoming a senior manager in 1998.[citation needed]

Boots UK

He joined Boots UK in 2003 as regional director of the south region. He was the joint chief operating officer from 2011, with Ken Murphy. He became managing director of Boots UK (health and beauty) on 1 October 2013, with Ken Murphy (from Cork) becoming managing director of Boots International.[citation needed]

Roberts left Boots in June 2016 "to pursue new opportunities".[1]

Sainsbury's

In September 2016, it was announced that he would be joining Sainsbury's as retail and operations director.[2]

In January 2020, he was appointed CEO effective 1 June 2020, following the impending retirement of Mike Coupe.[3] Roberts also became the CEO of Argos.[4]

Personal life

He works with Business in the Community.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Wood, Zoe (9 June 2016). "Boots UK boss Simon Roberts quits". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Sainsbury's appoints Simon Roberts as Retail & Operations Director". www.about.sainsburys.co.uk. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Mike Coupe to retire from his role as Chief Executive Officer – Simon Roberts appointed Chief Executive Officer from 1st June 2020". www.about.sainsburys.co.uk. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  4. ^ "An update from Argos's new CEO, Simon Roberts". OTS News. 14 July 2020.
Business positions
Preceded by
Alex Gourlay
Managing Director of Boots UK
2013–2016
Succeeded by
Elizabeth Fagan
Preceded by CEO of Sainsbury's
2020–present
Incumbent