Sainsbury's shake-up to restore confidence

Sainsbury's is expected to announce top management changes later this week in an effort to strengthen its board and restore investor confidence, writes Nigel Cope.

While some speculation suggests that David Sainsbury might be about to split the roles of chairman and chief executive, lower-level changes are thought to be more likely.

One possibility is that the company will appoint an international director, to oversee the group's US interests which include the Shaw's chain as well as Giant, the Washington and Baltimore group in which Sainsbury's has a 16 per cent stake. Sainsbury's is keen to buy the remainder of Giant and may be about to make its move following the recent death of Giant's founder and majority shareholder.

A restructure of the board could see Tom Vyner, Sainsbury's influential deputy chairman retiring earlier than expected. He is due to retire early next year but could decide to go sooner. Dino Adriano, recently promoted to deputy managing director, is a leading candidate for promotion.