UK retailer Sainsbury’s has appointed Neil Chason as its regional operations manager for Northern Ireland.
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Previously regional operations manager for the North East of England, Chason will now focus solely on Northern Ireland. He took up the role earlier this month.
He replaces David Davidson, who retains responsibility for stores in Scotland.
Neil said he is taking over the Regional Operations function at an exciting time for Sainsbury’s in Northern Ireland.
“Within the last 18 months Sainsbury’s in Northern Ireland has expanded its presence significantly with new stores opening in Dungannon, west Belfast and Carrickfergus. More stores are planned for the near future in Bangor, Dundonald and in Derry,” Chason said.
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By GlobalDataHe added that the firm was also making a GBP5m investment in its Newry store, one of the busiest Sainsbury’s outlets in the UK.
“Within a very short timeframe our employee base has risen from 2,500 full time employees to over 3,000. Sainsbury’s is now a major NI employer,” he said. “I believe that Northern Ireland is now one of the most exciting Sainsbury’s regions in the UK and I am very much looking forward to joining with my Northern Ireland colleagues in delivering a quality Sainsbury’s product to our increasing number of local customers.”
Asked whether the appointment may indicate the firm is looking to speed up expansion in Northern Ireland, a spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “There are plans for three more stores that are currently in the planning system for Bangor, Derry and Banbridge. Sainsbury’s has said that it is actively looking for further opportunities in Northern Ireland so they are on the lookout for new stores.”
The spokesperson said the rate of expansion would depend on the availability of sites and the size of the region.
