MRW Morrison (wm) Supermarkets Plc

By Ian Walker

LONDON--Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC (MRW.LN) said Wednesday it has appointed industry veteren David Potts Chief Executive Officer from March 16, replacing Dalton Philips left the role on Feb. 16 after five years at the helm.

Mr. Potts has 40 years in grocery retailing, starting in Tesco in 1973 on the shop floor, rising to become retail director in the U.K. and chief executive of its Irish businesses. Since leaving Tesco in 2011 he has acted as a retail expert to several international advisory and private equity businesses.

The number four retailer by market share said Mr. Potts will be paid a salary of 850,000 pounds ($1.3 million) a year, the same as his predecessor.

Trevor Strain has been chairing the management board and assumed Mr. Philips executive responsibilities since February.

-Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com; @IanWalk40289749

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