Walmart Int’l Gets New CEO

Walmart has promoted David Cheesewright to president and chief executive officer of Walmart International, the company’s second largest operating division, which generates nearly 30 percent of Walmart’s revenue and serves more than 109 million customers a week in 26 countries. 

Cheesewright, who will take the new position on Feb. 1, is currently president and chief executive officer of Walmart’s EMEA and Canada territories. Cheesewright’s successor will be named at a later date.

Cheesewright’s Walmart career began in 1999 at Asda, the company’s U.K. operation, where he held leadership positions in operations, merchandising, logistics, strategy and format development. He was the chief operating officer for both Walmart Canada and Asda before being named CEO of Walmart Canada. In 2011, he was named to his current position as president and CEO of Walmart’s EMEA and Canada region, where he oversaw the integration of the Massmart acquisition in Sub-Saharan Africa and more aggressive growth in the U.K. through the Netto stores acquisition. He helped develop and expand Asda’s online grocery delivery program and serves on the board of Walmart’s China e-commerce business, Yihaodian. Before his career with Walmart, Cheesewright held leadership positions in the U.K with Mars Confectionery. 

“David will lead the division at an exciting time,” says Doug McMillon, who was named to succeed Mike Duke as the company’s president and CEO in November and to whom Cheesewright will report. “We have strengthened our business and gained market share in the majority of our international markets, and he had a key role in that success. He brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of innovation and governance. With his deep knowledge of the company, our customers and our purpose, he is the ideal person to steer our next chapter of continued, long-term growth.”

To read about McMillon’s appointment, click here.