Two senior figures in Tesco's fresh produce division have been moved to other departments, FPJ can reveal.
Group sourcing director Darren Clough has been moved to Tesco's Central European operation, according to sources close to the supermarket, while fresh foods commercial director Richard Marris has also left the department.
FPJ understands that category sourcing director Kris Comerford, the former buying manager who has been in his current job for two and a half years, has retained his job and will take on an expanded role in the fresh produce department.
A spokeswoman for the retailer refused to confirm the names of individuals affected by chief executive Dave Lewis's ongoing management restructure, but said: 'As we made clear on January 8, we will be cutting costs across our head office functions by 30 per cent. These changes are underway, starting at the top of the business - when the consultation process is complete we will provide further information.'
She stressed that the 30 per cent cost reduction did not necessarily mean a third of staff would lose their jobs.
Meanwhile Tesco confirmed today that it has agreed to pay the liquidated damages contractually due to former CEO Philip Clarke and ex-finance director Laurie McIlwee under their separation agreements. The money paid amounts to just over £1.2m for Clarke and almost £971,000 for McIlwee.
'The company is contractually committed to make the relevant payment to each former director unless it can legally establish a case of gross misconduct against him,' Tesco said in a statement.
'The company has taken legal advice and has concluded that it does not have the basis for continuing to withhold the payments. Accordingly, the board considers that defending costly claims for the payments would not be in the company’s best interests.'
No comments yet