UK Edition
Tesco's international boss to depart as role is split in two
Tesco’s international boss Trevor Masters is leaving the company after 38 years. His role will be split into two to focus on Asia and Central Europe.
Tesco’s Central Europe business includes the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, while the Asia business incorporates Malaysia and Thailand.
After weathering a rocky patch a few years ago, the international divisions has enjoyed several quarters of sales growth. In the six months to the end of August, like-for-like sales were up 2.6pc, with 2pc growth in Europe and a 3.2pc increase in Asia.
When Mr Masters leaves at the end of the May, he will be replaced by Tony Hoggett and Matt Simister, who will head Tesco’s Asia and Central Europe divisions respectively.
Under Mr Masters’ tenure, Tesco's international arm has sold its Turkish business and formed joint ventures for its struggling India and China operations.
“Following the completion of the sale of our Turkish business, we will be giving greater focus to the two parts of our international business,” a spokesman for Tesco said. "This includes creating two new roles leading Asia and Central Europe on our executive committee."
Mr Hoggett is a Tesco lifer, having joined as a 16-year-old student in 1990 and worked his way up the ranks to his current position of chief operating officer for the UK.
Mr Simister joined Tesco’s marketing team in 1996 and works in the fresh food and commodities segment.
“I’d like to thank Trevor for everything he has done for our business over the last four decades,” said Dave Lewis, chief executive of Tesco.
“He has worked to strengthen and simplify our international business, and we couldn’t have made the progress we have without him. Tony and Matt’s new roles will allow us to focus on the different opportunities presented in Asia and Central Europe.”