Tesco's David Potts is the latest executive set to leave the retailer as the supermarket continues to reshuffle its top team.
Potts became Asia CEO in March after a decade in charge of the company's supply chain and running its UK operations. When he steps down on 30 June 2012 he will have served 39 years at the company.
He was one of a number of directors competing to succeed Sir Terry, but he missed out to Philip Clarke. It is a period of reshuffle at the top of Tesco with Andy Higginson, the former finance director, announcing he is to leave and David Reid, the non-executive chairman, having recently retired.
Potts will be replaced by Tesco’s business leader in Europe, Trevor Masters. Gordon Fryett will take on Masters' responsibilities alongside his own work as group property director.
The Daily Telegraph reported that, as a Manchester City fan, it is understood one of Potts' possible options is a role running the club.
Philip Clarke, group CEO, said: "I have worked alongside David for most of his time at Tesco. I want to thank him for his commitment to, and relentless efforts on behalf of, our customers and colleagues and to do so on behalf of everyone at Tesco."
“David has been an incredible servant to the company and an inspiration to thousands of our leaders, whose own careers are flourishing because he played his part in developing many of the programmes which made the Tesco retail team amongst the most admired in the world."
