Andy General manager - Asda Wakefield CDC

Be open minded to change, lead by example and demonstrate the ability to adapt to an ever-changing business, listen to your team at all levels, reflect on what they are saying before formulating and communicating any decision.

In 2018, I had been a GSM for 11 years across 5 stores and had worked in a variety of formats from the Living Format to Supermarkets, to core stores, successfully leading a number of high-profile changes. I had reached a point in my career where I wanted a different challenge but still within the big box format and one that would challenge me on a personal development level.

Any leadership skills you possess can be transferred between formats, and the more experience you have across different formats and any interactions with the wider business will help prepare you, whilst having a strong end to end understanding of both stores and ALS will help you make the correct decision as you have a greater understanding of the wider business.

Working at Asda, you need to be resilient and be able to adapt to change at a moment's notice, the ability to listen and learn from those around you at all levels before formulating your own plans and strategy which ultimately has the customers and colleagues at the heart of your decision making.

There have been many career highlights and recognition, but my proudest achievement is the influence you have on a colleague's development journey, watching them grow, and reach their potential, whether that be a colleague completing the "U Can Be" to a Departmental manager or watching established managers become GSMs.