Newspaper and magazine wholesaler Menzies Distribution has appointed former Asda chief executive Andy Clarke as its chairman.

Though he has little background within Menzies’ primary business of news distribution, Clarke had previously held roles at WM Morrisons, Matalan and Iceland Foods, having started his career on the shop floor and worked his way up.

Comments announcing the move suggest Menzies hopes the appointment will help it to further expand its wider logistics offering. Aiden Robsen, a partner at Menzies Distribution owners Endless LLP said the appointment would: “Help support Menzies to deliver its growth aspirations through both organic expansion and acquisition.” 

Menzies chief executive Greg Michael said Clarke had a ‘superb track record in several sectors relevant to Menzies’ and added the new hire would support ‘the next phase of our ambitious plan for growth’.

Andy Clarke said he would work to ‘cement [Menzies Distribution’s] position as a major force in UK logistics.”

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