Rob Barnes reflects on technology highlights as he ends 18 month run as Asda Chief Information Officer

Earlier this year, we reported that Rob Barnes was exiting Asda and the role of CIO. Barnes, who joined the UK grocery giant from Marks and Spencer, has now completed his last working day there.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “It has been a privilege to serve a business during such a pivotal period of change, and it has taken me a few days to reflect and consider what we’ve achieved in this time. Looking back on the last 18 months, the team have achieved the impossible.”

This included rolling out NCR Voyix to all assisted and self-service tills in stores, converting over half of stores onto new SAP, Zebra Technologies and other store systems/processes including new shelf edge ticketing, and launching a new e-commerce platform, now serving all of George online and over half the grocery home shopping stores via Salesforce and Blue Yonder.

Elsewhere, there has been the migration of around 150,000 colleagues to Workday and new payroll solutions, implementation of SAP S4 across all finance and commercial processes, convertion of over 20 distributions centres to Manhattan Associates and SAP, and the launch of ServiceNow for all colleague and supplier interactions via the self-serve portals, and the backbone of Asda’s IT service management.

The team has also rolled out new Microsoft workplace technology to every home office colleague, and migrated approximately 900 newly acquired convenience stores onto the retailer’s MADIC UK platform.

“As well as landing this technology change, we have made significant improvements to the technology operating model. We have brought together all aspects of digital, technology and data into one team; and better aligned them to our customers and colleagues,” Barnes said.

“It has been an incredible experience, and I am grateful to so many at Asda for their support and for giving me the opportunity in the first place. Exceptional challenge takes exceptional people and the Digital and Tech team have been nothing short of amazing. So it’s a big 'well done', thank you and farewell.”

Barnes concluded: “For now, I'm enjoying some rest and recuperation, starting with some quality family time over the summer holidays, before starting my new role. More to come on this very soon!”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Grocery retail will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in April, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.