Tesco non-food commercial director, Per Bank, moving on to Dansk Supermarked

Dansk Supermarked's new managing director and CEO will be Tesco UK's Commercial Director for Non-food, Telecoms and Online and member of Tesco Executive Board, Per Bank.

44-year-old Per Bank will take up the position on 1 April 2012. He follows Erling Jensen who after 35 years at Dansk Supermarked has chosen to retire.

Per Bank has been trained as an engineer, and his latest position in Denmark was as managing director of Coop Danmark and head of Coop Norden (Nordic region). In 2009 was selected for Tesco – first as CEO of Tesco Hungary, and since April 2011 as Commercial Director for Non-food, Telecoms and Online at Tesco UK.

CFO of A.P. Moller - Maersk and member of the board of Dansk Supermarked, Trond Westlie, says about the choice of Per Bank as managing director:

"We have got the best possible man for the job. Per Bank has shown that he can create results and progress in large and complex organisations. His thorough knowledge of the retail business both in Denmark and internationally is a great strength for Dansk Supermarked."

Per Bank is looking forward to taking the driver's seat at Denmark's largest retail group.

"I come from a fantastic position at Tesco, but to become head of Dansk Supermarked Group is a unique opportunity and one of the very few jobs which would make me want to return home. During my years in Danish and international retail business, I have always considered Dansk Supermarked as a consolidated company with great potential both in Denmark and internationally. To lead Dansk Supermarked to further growth and expansion in the coming years is a fantastic challenge which I very much look forward to taking up in cooperation with the many competent managers and employees of the group," he says.

Per Bank will continue at Tesco until 31 March 2012.

Trond Westlie underlines Erling Jensen's great contribution to Dansk Supermarked through 35 years:

"Erling Jensen has been of significant importance to Dansk Supermarked and has made a marked impression on the business. We have good reason to be very satisfied with the results during his management."

Facts about Per Bank:
April 2011 - 31 March 2012: Commercial Director Tesco UK
2009 - 2011: CEO Tesco Hungary
2006 - 2007: Man. Dir. Coop Danmark and head of Coop Norden (Nordic)
2004 - 2005: Man. Dir. Coop Danmark
2001 - 2003: Logistics director Coop Danmark
Education: production engineer, Odense, Denmark
Officer of the reserve in the Danish Armed Forces
Married with two sons

Dansk Supermarked at 44,000 employees in four countries and with a turnover of DKK 59 billion (VAT excluded) is the, largest retail organisation in Denmark. Dansk Supermarked runs the retail businesses Føtex, Bilka and Netto, the Salling deparment stores and the Tøj & Sko shops (clothing and shoes). Netto has stores in Denmark and also in Sweden, Germany and Poland. Dansk Supermarked was founded in 1960 by Herman Salling who headed the business until 1999 at which time Erling Jensen was appointed managing director.

In 1964 A.P. Moller - Maersk joined the business as investor to secure capital for the continued expansion of the network of shops. Today, A.P. Moller - Maersk owns 67.68% of the shares and the rest of Dansk Supermarked A/S is owned by F. Salling Holding and F. Salling Invest.

Source : Maersk
www.maerskpress.com/NEWS-ROOM/danish-tesco-top-manager-to-head-dansk-supermarked/s/3287ab3e-a22f-49ee-a07e-2beae1bbd3e2