Supermarket boss switchovers

Last week Terry Leahy announced he was quitting his role as chief executive officer of Tesco, while Richard Hodgson was appointed group commercial director of Morrisons.

Hodgson, who has previously held roles at multiple grocers Waitrose and Asda, was chosen for his “wide experience from all areas of the UK grocery market,” according to Dalton Philips, the supermarket’s CEO.

Morrisons has also announced that trading director Martyn Jones will move into a new role for the supermarket, as corporate services director.

Meanwhile at Tesco, Leahy has announced he will step down next year because he feels his “work is almost complete” after 14 years at the helm of the UK’s largest retailer.

Leahy said: “When I became CEO I had a plan to build Tesco around its customers, to make it number one in the UK and to find new long term growth in non-food, in services and in international expansion. 

“I wanted to develop a purpose and values that could sustain Tesco through its challenges and encourage and grow future leaders. It has taken 14 years but that strategy has become a firm reality now and so I feel my work is almost complete." 

Leahy will be replaced internally by Philip Clarke, who has worked through the ranks at the supermarket and who joined the board in 1998. Clarke currently has responsibility for the group’s international operations in Asia and Europe, as well as group IT.

Jane Parkinson, 14.06.10