UK supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has confirmed that Rhian Bartlett will step into the newly created position of chief commercial & sustainability officer this September, combining two critical business priorities under one leadership for the first time in the company’s history.
The move is part of a broader shake-up of the retailer’s operating board, aligning with its ongoing Next Level strategy. According to the company, the change will bring commercial decision-making and sustainability efforts closer together, strengthening Sainsbury’s focus on long-term growth and environmental responsibility.
Sainsbury’s said its Plan for Better sustainability programme has already made notable progress, achieving measurable results in carbon reduction, ethical sourcing, and improving health and nutrition. By integrating sustainability directly into commercial operations, the retailer aims to “embed environmental leadership into the heart of everyday business decisions.”
Bartlett, who joined Sainsbury’s in 2019, became commercial director for food in November 2020 and has played a key role in strengthening the supermarket’s product strategy and supplier relationships.
Other Senior Appointments
In a series of leadership changes, Tracey Clements has been appointed chief retail, logistics & supply chain officer, bringing together Sainsbury’s retail, digital, customer experience, supply chain, and logistics teams under a single umbrella. Clements previously served as senior vice president for mobility & convenience in Europe at BP, and has also held senior roles at Tesco Express, OneStop, and Boots.
Mark Given will lead as chief technology, marketing & data officer, taking charge of technology, data, insights, marketing, and Nectar360. Former Asda technology head Rob Barnes is set to join in early October as chief technology officer, reporting to Given.
Additionally, Argos’s retail structures and transformation teams will now report directly to Argos managing director and chief strategy & supply officer Graham Biggart, with his supply chain and logistics responsibilities moving to Clements.
These changes follow last month’s announcement that Sainsbury’s current CTO, Clodagh Moriarty, will leave to take on the role of CEO at homewares retailer Dunelm.
