Asda chief Farren goes back to KFC after just 11 months

Asda’s chief customer officer Meg Farren is quitting her role after only 11 months in the job to return to KFC as UK general manager, with the boss of Asda claiming she “leaves a great legacy” despite such a short tenure.

Farren joined Asda last July after working at KFC for 10 years. During the past year she has led a raft of marketing campaigns, including the launch of the £45m ‘Dropped and Locked’ investment in lowering and locking the price of over 100 family products until the end of the year.

Asda vice-president of brand and proposition Sam Dickson, who joined from Waitrose last year, will step into the chief customer officer role on an interim basis.

A decidedly magnanimous Asda co-owner Mohsin Issa said: “We are truly sad to see Meg leave Asda, but also incredibly proud to see her take on this new opportunity to lead KFC in the UK and Ireland.

“During her time with us she has led the customer team and our vision and purpose work with passion and creativity. She leaves us with a great legacy, and we wish her all the best for the future.”

KFC Global CEO Sabir Sami is equally chuffed: “Meg’s impact on the KFC brand extends far beyond her 10-year career with our UKI business. From innovation director in 2011 to her more recent role as chief marketing officer from 2015 to 2021, Meg became well renowned for her bold and brave creative leadership, a champion for our unique culture and her people first approach.

“Meg is an exceptional leader, her people-grower capability has inspired and developed the UKI team into a hub for the next generation of leaders at KFC. I am thrilled to welcome Meg back to KFC and excited to see the UK & I business continue to grow under her leadership.”

Farren began her career at JPMorganChase, then spent nearly five years at US consulting group Marakon before joining Gü Puds in 2008, ultimately taking on the role of director of new business.