November 14, 2024 at 04:40AM
Simon Langley, Asda’s chief information security officer, has left amid Asda’s ongoing transition away from Walmart’s IT systems. Langley joined Asda in December 2021 and will be replaced by Mike Amos. Asda plans to complete its IT separation project by early 2025, with significant staff redundancies and restrictions on contractors.
### Meeting Takeaways
1. **Leadership Change**: Simon Langley, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Asda, has left his position. He will be succeeded by Mike Amos, the former head of strategy and architecture.
2. **Background**: Langley joined Asda in December 2021, shortly after Walmart sold the retailer to private equity firm TDR Capital and private owners Mohsin and Zuber Issa in February 2021.
3. **IT Separation from Walmart**: Asda is undergoing a significant transition as it separates its IT systems from Walmart. This is part of Project Future, which has a budget of £189 million ($244 million) and aims to be completed by the end of 2024.
4. **Cost Overruns**: The project’s costs have escalated to £430 million ($554 million) for the period ending December 31, 2023, revealing a substantial increase from the initial budget.
5. **Infrastructure Transition**: Asda transitioned from Walmart’s SAP ERP system to a new S/4HANA system hosted on Microsoft Azure in January 2024. The complete takeover of network infrastructure management is set to finish by early 2025, with the transition expected to conclude by February 14.
6. **Staffing Changes**: Asda announced redundancies affecting 475 staff in its Leeds and Leicester offices. Additionally, fixed-term IT contractors will also be leaving as the transformation project winds down. Restrictions have been placed on IT contractors regarding access and working conditions.
7. **Working Protocols**: Asda has implemented a new policy mandating employees with work-from-home (WFH) arrangements to report to the office at least three days a week.
8. **Future Operations Update**: The transition of IT at approximately 850 retail locations will proceed through 2024, with larger stores set to follow starting January 2025 after the holiday season.
9. **Security and Compliance Measures**: Asda is enforcing stricter protocols for IT contractors, including requiring them to be accompanied by Asda personnel during site visits and restricting their parking access.
10. **Continued Oversight**: All discussions regarding the separation timeline with Walmart are designated as private, suggesting ongoing adjustments to the completion date may occur.
These points summarize the essential updates and strategic plans surrounding Asda’s IT restructuring and organizational changes.