Company: ASDA
Role: Finance Manager
I’m Harsana Malde, Asda Logistics Services (ALS) Finance Manager at Asda, and I’ve built my career in Finance through continuous development, curiosity and a genuine passion for understanding the story behind the numbers.
I joined Asda in 2003 as a Payroll Clerk at the Lutterworth depot. Since then, I’ve progressed through various roles within the Finance department, taking on new responsibilities and broadening my experience across different areas of the business. Today, as ALS Finance Manager, I support logistics operations by providing financial insight, challenge and guidance to help the business make informed decisions.
Finance in logistics is about far more than reporting numbers. My role involves analysing performance, identifying trends, supporting budgeting and forecasting, and ensuring strong financial controls are in place. If something doesn’t look right, I naturally want to investigate it to understand the root cause and what it means for future performance. That curiosity and love of problem-solving are what have always driven me.
The role requires a professional Chartered qualification in Finance, such as CIMA or ACCA. I went to university and studied Finance and Travel & Tourism, graduating in 1997. Since then, I’ve continued learning through apprenticeships, completing a Level 3 Leadership and Management qualification and a Level 7 Accountancy/Taxation Professional apprenticeship. Completing the Level 7 programme awarded me the titles of Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), which was a proud moment in my career.
My progression hasn’t come from changing companies, it has come from growing within Asda. Over the years, I’ve supported Finance teams across multiple functions and managed different depots, including General Merchandise, Clothing, Dot Com and Chilled Food. This variety has given me a broad understanding of how logistics and retail operations connect, and how finance underpins everything.
My interest in finance started much earlier in life. My biggest role model has always been my dad. He owned a convenience shop in Kenya, and I watched it grow from a small business into a medium-sized operation. I helped him with the accounts each week, and that’s where my interest in numbers really began. Seeing how financial management could directly influence business success made a lasting impression on me.
After graduating, I worked at a Safeway retail store, which strengthened my interest in the retail sector. When the opportunity came to join Asda, I took it, and that decision shaped the rest of my career.
The best thing about my role is that retail and logistics are constantly evolving. The pace of change means my work is always challenging and varied – never repetitive. Every depot, every function and every project brings something new to learn. That continuous change pushes me to develop new skills and techniques to excel as a Finance Manager.
My biggest career highlight has been qualifying as a professional Management Accountant. It was one of the most challenging periods of my life. There were moments when I doubted whether I could complete the qualification, but perseverance paid off. Achieving my chartered status was incredibly rewarding and proved to me that with determination and resilience, you can reach your goals at any stage of your career.
My journey shows that logistics isn’t just about moving goods – it’s also about the financial insight and leadership that make those operations sustainable and successful. With curiosity, commitment and continuous learning, there are real opportunities to build a long and fulfilling career in this industry.