Judith McKenna
Born1966 (age 57–58)
Middlesbrough, England[1]
Alma materUniversity of Hull
OccupationBusinesswoman
TitleCEO of Walmart International
TermFebruary 2018–present
PredecessorDavid Cheesewright
SpousePhil Dutton
Children2

Judith McKenna (born 1966) is an English businesswoman. She has been CEO of Walmart's international division since 2018. Previously, she held leadership roles within Walmart's US division and Asda, a subsidiary of Walmart International.

Early life

McKenna was born in Middlesbrough, England, in 1966.[1][2][3] She was educated at a local comprehensive school, then earned a law degree at University of Hull.[3] She qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG.[4]

Career

McKenna started her career with KPMG, followed by Carlsberg Tetley and Allied Domecq, and joined Asda in 1996.[2] McKenna became chief financial officer of Asda in 2001, a position she held until she was promoted to chief operating officer in July 2011.[3][4]

At Asda, McKenna worked with David Cheesewright, whom she would later succeed at Walmart International.[5] McKenna moved to the U.S. to lead strategy and development for Walmart International in 2014.[5] The following year, she became chief operating officer for Walmart U.S.[5] As COO, McKenna and Walmart U.S. president CEO Greg Foran led a $2 billion investment in higher wages, training, and technology.[6] McKenna undertook initiatives to improve working conditions for associates, including efforts to clean stores, relax the dress code, and reinstituting Walmart Radio.[6] She also developed training academies for associates, which includes digital learning tools and ongoing education opportunities. McKenna said more than 500,000 associates went through the academy program in 2018.[7] She also brought features to Walmart U.S. that were present at Asda, including online ordering and in-store pickup, including grocery pickup.[6][8]

McKenna became president and CEO of Walmart International in February 2018, where she is responsible for the strategy and operations for more than 5,100 stores in 19 countries, including Mexico, Canada, China, and India.[8][9][10] As head of Walmart International, McKenna reshaped the portfolio with the sale of operations in Japan, Argentina, Brazil, and the United Kingdom, moves she said were made to promote the long-term health of Walmart International and the businesses sold.[8][11] She has worked to expand the role of e-commerce in Walmart's businesses, including overseeing the $16 billion acquisition of 77 percent of Flipkart, the largest online retailer in India.[6][10][12]

McKenna was first named to Fortune's list of 50 Most Powerful Women in 2015.[2] As of 2022, McKenna ranked no. 14 on the list.[11]

Personal life

McKenna met her husband, Phil Dutton, former finance director of Punch Taverns, when both worked at Asda.[2] They have two children.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Judith McKenna". BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Armstrong, Ashley (17 January 2018). "Judith McKenna becomes most senior woman in UK food retail as Walmart international boss". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Judith McKenna: The MT Interview". Management Today. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  4. 1 2 Wood, Zoe (15 November 2008). "How Asda takes sting out of the crunch". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 Souza, Kim (17 January 2018). "Judith McKenna to lead Walmart International, Cheesewright to retire". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Kowitt, Beth (25 September 2018). "Meet the Woman Running Walmart's Biggest Deal Ever". Fortune. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  7. ↑ Weissman, Cale Guthrie (23 January 2019). "Walmart International CEO: Workplace education is not just about 'competitive advantage'". Fast Company. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 Jones, Callum (1 December 2022). "The Briton running Walmart's global empire". The Times. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  9. ↑ "About – Walmart International". corporate.walmart.com. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  10. 1 2 "#14: Judith McKenna". Fortune. 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  11. 1 2 "Judith McKenna". Fortune. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  12. ↑ Nassauer, Sarah (9 May 2018). "Walmart Agrees to Buy 77% Stake in Flipkart for $16 Billion". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
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