UK discount retailer B&M has named Atheeq Akbar as its new chief financial officer (CFO), with the role set to begin in February 2027.
Akbar currently serves as vice-president of commercial finance at Asda.
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B&M CEO Tjeerd Jegen said: “Securing the right individual as chief financial officer has been a key priority for me in recent months, and I am excited that after an extensive search, we can announce Atheeq in this role.
He previously held senior finance roles at Morrisons, where he led the retail and manufacturing finance functions and was elevated to finance director in 2021.
His broader career spans senior finance positions at Tesco, as well as international finance leadership at Etihad Airways.
Commenting on his appointment, Atheeq said: “The opportunity for UK value retail is considerable, as is the leadership role B&M can continue to play in its development. I am excited to be joining the company at such an important time and I look forward to working with Tjeerd and the Board to deliver B&M at its full potential.”
Atheeq began his career at Deloitte and holds membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
The appointment brings to a close an unsettled period in B&M’s finance leadership. Interim CFO and executive director Helen Cowing left the business in April, having joined only in December 2025.
She had stepped into the role temporarily following the departure of former CFO Mike Schmidt.
In the wake of Cowing’s exit, B&M named its group financial controller, Peter Waterhouse, as interim CFO.
Waterhouse assumed the post immediately and is expected to remain in place until Akbar takes over next year.
Jegen added: “I look forward to partnering with Atheeq and would like to thank Pete Waterhouse for his continued leadership as interim CFO in the meantime as we bring about a seamless transition in this important role.”
