Laura Mollard departs grocery giant Asda after working on major Future transformation programme

Laura Mollard has left Asda after playing a part in the retailer’s journey towards IT autonomy.

Over the past two and a half years, she has held the position of Senior Information Technology Project Manager, having joined from Co-op where she served as Senior Technology Delivery Manager.

Earlier this year, Asda was granted an extension to the timescale for an £80 million IT upgrade by its former owner Walmart, after it missed a crucial deadline target. This is required to fully separate Asda’s IT system from that of Walmart. Project Future, as it is known, had been set for completion by February.

In a LinkedIn post, Mollard, who worked on seamlessly integrating SAP with Manhattan Active, a pivotal move for Asda’s 20 food depots, said: “And just like that my time at Asda is over after two and a bit years. The Future programme has been anything but easy and there has never been a dull moment, but I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to work on the largest transformation programme in Europe.”

She added: “Due to the size and scale of the Future programme I've found it difficult to summarise my time and experience to fit a LinkedIn post. However what I can say is that due to the size and pace of the programme and what I've been able to achieve whilst working at Asda it has made the last two years feel equivalent to ten - in a positive way.”

“Having the freedom and autonomy to run a project like SAP Food with the right support and team around me has helped me reach new limits in my strengths, capabilities and leadership skills as a Project Manager. Not to mention having had the opportunity to line manage for the first time, and being able to give back by sharing some of the knowledge and skills that I've had the opportunity of learning through various amazing life coaches, mentors and managers along the way (you know who you are.”

“The best part about working on the Future programme, by far is the project team that I've had the pleasure of working with every single day. I've worked with some of the most talented and hard working people I've ever come across in my career. The project team has been like no other, colleagues old and new and third party vendors alike - through the madness of the Future programme we've all definitely trauma bonded and created some life long friendships as a result.”

She concluded: “The SAP Food project team will always have a special place in my heart, not just through the amazing progress we've made but how we all came together, supported and cared for each other and had an unbreakable 'one team' spirit far stronger then I've ever felt before, not to mention all of the belly laughs and good times we've shared a long the way. The journey doesn't end here, I'll be taking the knowledge and experience into my new role as I start the next chapter of my career. Exciting times ahead.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Grocery retail will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in April, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.