Tesco overhauls executive team

Tesco has announced a shake-up of its executive team. The new structure also includes chief executive Dave Lewis heading up the supermarket's UK operation on a temporary basis.

Chief customer officer Jill Easterbrook will lead the business transformation programme while Benny Higgins will take on responsibility for group strategy. This will be in addition to his role leading the Tesco Bank and the international financial services business.

Group corporate affairs director Rebecca Shelley will head up corporate communications while group chief finance officer Alan Stewart will be responsible for the investor relations team.

In further moves, Jason Tarry has been appointed as the head of commercial for the UK and the group, and Robin Terrell will become head of customer.

Tesco said the changes meant that two roles will no longer be needed. These include Matt Atkinson's role as chief creative officer and David Hobbs’ as group business planning and strategy director.

The changes will take effect on 1 January. During the transition Dave Lewis will take over the day to day leadership of the UK operation on a temporary basis.

Meanwhile, Matt Simister, one of several executives who stepped aside in the wake of the supermarket’s profit overstatement, will make a return as group food sourcing director.

Lewis said: "During our work it became clear that Matt, in fact, worked tirelessly to resolve the issues we faced. Matt is one of our most capable leaders, and I am confident his leadership will support our agenda in commercial going forward.”

Source : The Retail Bulletin
www.theretailbulletin.com/news/tesco_reshuffles_executive_team_02-12-14/