// Tesco begins “new chapter” as Ken Murphy takes over from Dave Lewis as the new CEO
// Dave Lewis had been CEO since 2014 & led a successful turnaround in the wake of an accounting scandal
// Murphy is a former Walgreens Boots Alliance executive
New Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy has officially started his tenure leading the UK’s biggest supermarket.
Analysts have heralded his tenure as a “new chapter” for the grocery giant, as the leadership team which helped deliver its turnaround after the 2014 accounting scandal steps back.
Last year, Murphy – a former Walgreens Boots Alliance executive – was named as the successor to Dave Lewis and finally took the reins yesterday.
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It represents a major shake-up at Tesco, which has also seen Alan Stewart, its chief finance officer, and Charles Wilson, chief of its Booker wholesale arm, announce their departures.
Murphy held calls with shop workers and executives at the business on Thursday morning, introducing himself and answering questions.
Shore Capital’s Clive Black said this “represents the arrival of a new chapter” at Tesco where his challenges are set to be external, rather than the internal “chaos” faced by Lewis at the start of his leadership.
“The context in which Mr Murphy joins Tesco could not be more different to the chaos inherited by his very effective predecessor, Dave Lewis,” Black said.
“Whereas Mr Lewis faced into a tsunami of internal challenge, he passes a leadership ‘ball’ on to his successor at the right pace, direction and height.”
He stressed that Murphy would face his own challenges, such as UK-EU relations and potential tariffs from Brexit, economic recession across its markets, and the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tesco delivered strong sales in the face of the pandemic, posting 10.5 per cent growth in the 12 weeks to September 6, according to Kantar.
The supermarket has also pushed down on prices to keep customers on board during the recession, which saw it launch its Aldi Price Match in March as well as a raft of Clubcard-only offers.
Major investors also have told Murphy that paying dividends to Covid-hit shareholders and selling off its banking arm should be at the top of his in-tray.
Last year, Tesco sold its mortgage book to Lloyds for £3.8 billion, while it also recently sold its operations in Thailand and Malaysia for around £8 billion.
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How many c.e.os.do they need. Just had an email from Jason Tarry who claims to be c.e.o. for u.k and eire, this company is definitely top heavy.
I also got an email from Jason Tarry – very confusing!
why cant tesco shut on boxing day like ghe rest of the supermarket in wales after the year we have had it would be nice
Your staff seem happy to stand by and watch customers being abused. I saw videos and questioned how real they were, but I was abused by other customers today while 2 members of staff just stood and watched. I won’t be shopping there EVER again.
I got a mail from tesco ceo jason tarry,how ceo in uk got tesco?confused.com now
Why has tesco maryhill glasgow not shut for a deep clean . The store manager said that he doesn’t have the money for it but twelve staff have tested positive for covid 19 in last few weeks. I think this is absolutely terrible they are putting other staff at risk as well as customers . Daily papers will have a field day with this story .
To Mr Murphy CEO Tesco
Dear Sir,
I noticed that the sweet potatoes which were delivered this last week were from the USA. Why did you not buy Scottish ones? The sweet potato farmer could go out of business because you are buying from the other side of the world. This does not make sense, nor is it good for the environment. Please rethink.
Well, I think Tesco need to improve food quality. I have purchased items that were good quality in the past, now the same items are inferior. Having said that Sainsbury’s need to buck their ideas up as well. We live in a world of me me me. I for one am fed up with it. QUALITY QUALITY QUALITY it’s important. Not money money money
Judging by the comments on this page people are receiving messages from more than one person claiming to be the CEO.
How lucky they are I have tried to correspond with the CEO’s office several times and all I get is an acknowledgement and a statement that someone will be in touch but it never happens.
We waited in all bank holiday to have a mobile delivered. Never turned up. Tesco say, “it was a bank holiday”, so why did they say it would be delivered on the bank holiday? So we wait another day, DPD claim they cannot deliver, yet they have not even rung the bell or knocked on the door. No card either. They just lie and expect customers to suck it up. Tescos and DPD are both liars. What shit customer service.
How do I send the CEO a email please can any one tell me
Why are Tesco at Brookfield allowing people working there not wearing masks. Many of them particularly young girls stacking shelves. Also members of the public shopping no one asks why they are not wearing masks.
Still big children in the main part of trolley where customers have to put their food.