Former Tesco chief executive Sir Dave Lewis has been hand-picked by Boris Johnson to be the government’s new supply chain adviser.
Lewis, who stood down from running the UK’s largest grocer last year after more than six years in charge, has been drafted in by the prime minister to help solve the supply chain chaos that is threatening to overwhelm the golden quarter and Christmas.
Lewis will report directly to Johnson and Stephen Barclay, the new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and will suggest “immediate improvements and any necessary long term changes to UK supply chains for goods”.
He will also be tasked with “identifying the causes of current blockages and pre-empting potential future ones, and advising on resolutions either through direct government action or through industry with government support”.
The former Tesco boss will also be tasked with co-chairing the supply chain advisory group and a new industry task force.
Lewis will start the role on Monday and will work with the government until at least the end of the year.
Johnson said: “I’m pleased that Sir Dave Lewis is joining the team who have been working on future-proofing our supply chains across the United Kingdom as we recover from the pandemic.
“There are currently global supply issues, which we are working with industry to mitigate, and Dave brings a wealth of experience that will help us continue to protect our businesses and supply chains.”
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