Philip Hampton, chairman said: "Roger indicated his longer term intentions when I was appointed earlier this year. We both consider now is the best time to begin to move toward an orderly succession. We have started the process for the appointment of his successor and our timing should provide for a smooth handover of responsibilities

"Roger has made a major contribution during a very volatile time in the retail industry and also a time of significant change at Sainsbury's including the recent successful sale of Shaw's in the US. We thank him for his considerable efforts and wish him well in the future.

"Roger has told me that after five intensive years with Sainsbury's he plans to develop a portfolio of interests in both the public and private sectors within which he also hopes to address his passion for sport."

Notes

Roger Matthews joined J Sainsbury in 1999 from Compass plc where he was group managing director and finance director.

He is currently a non-executive director of Zenergy UK Limited.

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