Ex-Next FD Keens takes Sainsbury's audit chair role

LONG-STANDING Next FD David Keens is to bolster the board of Sainsbury’s as audit committee chairman.

Keens, who stepped down from the Next FD role earlier this month after 24 years, will take the audit chair role in July.

He was announced as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner at Financial Director’s Business Finance Awards in March.

On winning the award, Financial Director editor Kevin Reed described Keens as “an unassuming character” who let “results do the talking”.

Sainsbury’s chairman David Tyler, himself a former FD – at GUS, said Keens’ skills and background were “particularly relevant” for the business.

“His deep retail experience and his knowledge of fast-moving consumer business are particularly relevant at a time when we are growing our own successful non-food ranges. This, together with his considerable skills in finance, makes him an ideal addition to our board,” said Tyler.