Dan Jago joins Tesco

Tesco has appointed a new category director for beers, wines and spirits.

Replacing Mark Murphy, who will be moving to Japan, where Tesco currently has 100 stores, is Dan Jago, ex-joint MD of Bibendum Wine. Jago left Bibendum a couple of months ago after the company recruited a new COO, Jeremy Young, previously global finance director for DHL.

“It was then agreed that the business would be simpler under one leader,” said Jago on leaving Bibendum, adding, “I was always concerned that I might get stale if I stayed there forever.”

A spokesperson for Tesco said, “Dan Jago’s experience and extensive knowledge of the industry will help us to strengthen our already-successful beer, wine and spirits range, ensuring we offer our customers the best-quality range at the very best prices.”

Jago has been vocal in his criticisms of wine retailing in the past, in particular with regards to the aggressive use of price promotional mechanics in multiple retailers. He joins Tesco at a time when the company is enlarging and developing its fine-wine range.

db May 2006