Matthew Barnes takes the Aldi reins solo as Roman Heini returns to Germany

Aldi is restructuring its top team in the UK and Ireland, with Matthew Barnes taking over as chief executive from April next year. 

 

Barnes has been joint group managing director for Aldi UK and Ireland, alongside Roman Heini, since 2010. 

 

Heini is stepping down from his, instead taking on the position of chairman of the advisory board for Aldi South, which is based in his home country of Germany. 

 

When Barnes takes on the top role next spring, he will be supported by two new joint managing directors for the group. 

 

A statement from the group said: “We would like to thank Roman for his outstanding leadership and contribution to our success in the UK and Ireland.”

 

Success is putting it mildly: Aldi – which last week picked up Business of the Year at the Morning Wire Awards – has grown hugely in recent months, snapping at the heels of Waitrose to take the position as the UK's sixth largest supermarket. 

 

According to Kantar Worldpanel's most recent data, for October, sales at Aldi have soared 25.5 per cent year-on-year, driving its market share up to 4.9 per cent. 

 

Waitrose has managed to keep ahead so far, growing its market share to 5.1 per cent. 

 

Both the John Lewis-owned premium supermarket and the discounter are performing well above the market rate – sales were down 0.2 per cent, and every one of the “big four” saw sales drop.