Aisle Spy
The blog that goes behind the scenes at Asda.
Meet our graduates
Anders
Business Development Analyst
Finance Graduate
My name's Anders and I'm a Business Development Analyst at Asda House.
After graduating with a 1st Class Chemistry Masters at Oxford University, I didn’t want to go down the conventional finance route of joining a graduate programme of a large accountancy firm. I knew too many people who were quickly bored with the lack of variety, so I saw Asda as a more interesting route. With a finance team able to keep up with and support a company in a dynamic and fast moving industry, I knew the great things I'd heard about Asda were true. I can't imagine another company with the same buzz, energy and atmosphere.
I originally joined on the finance CIMA training scheme, but after seeing the extra opportunities and accelerated development the Graduate Programme offered, I made the move.
Right from the start, I've been given responsibility. It seemed daunting at first but I’ve been supported every step of the way. Asda are serious about development. I was even given time off for revision and exams throughout my CIMA studies. I was also praised by the Chief Executive for a project that ultimately helped the trading floor negotiate huge reductions in prices from suppliers. As your opinion is valued at all levels of the business, it means everyone can contribute to moving it forward.
Working in Commercial Finance, my typical day is varied and focused on providing analysis to support business decisions. I work at the forefront of all that's current in Asda. We regularly receive competitor and market information and are often the first port of call in helping the business understand new and emerging challenges. My day rarely works out as expected and I'm often needed to provide insight into a developing business priority. I could be making progress on longer term projects, providing training to trading teams or presenting my analysis on significant business areas. Every day is different. We even dressed up as a team and performed a Wizard of Oz pantomime at the Finance Christmas Conference!
Asda really does have it all. Energy, diversity, opportunity, great people and an open door culture. You’d struggle to find an industry so fast moving and dynamic as supermarket retail, and you’d definitely struggle to find a company as well geared up to deal with it as Asda.