Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has announced that it has hired Prerana Issar (pictured) as its first ever chief people officer.
Issar was the NHS’ first chief people officer during the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to that, she worked at the United Nations World Food Programme as director of public-private partnerships and chief HR officer. Issar started her career at Unilever, where she was focused on HR delivering commercial impact.
Simon Roberts, chief executive at Sainsbury’s, said: “I am delighted that Prerana is joining our team. She brings a multi sector background and a strong and broad HR experience to our business, especially with her focus on purpose as both a unifying force and a driver of business results.
“In this crucial third year of our Food First plan and as we look to the future, we will continue to drive forward our strategy through engaging and mobilising all our people and as a result, deliver the best possible experience for our customers.
Group HR director Angie Risley will be retiring after 10 years at Sainsbury’s to further develop her non-executive director portfolio. She has driven recent cultural change across the business and will remain in her role until June, while she supports Issar’s transition and handover.
Roberts added: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Angie for everything she has done for our business and our team over the last 10 years. She has been a committed member of the operating board throughout her time with us and I am hugely grateful to her for everything she has done.”