Tesco has poached Coca-Cola’s European public affairs chief Jane Lawrie to be its new group communications director.

Lawrie, who has spent nine years at Coca-Cola, will join Tesco on October 10.

The role of group communications director has been vacant at the grocery giant since Rebecca Shelley unexpectedly quit in February after four years with the retailer.

Tesco has been attempting to restore its reputation and public image following its accounting scandal in 2014. 

Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis said: “Over the last 18 months we’ve made good progress in restoring trust in our brand and our business, and Jane will help to continue this improvement.

He added: “She has huge expertise and experience, as well as extremely strong values. We’re really looking forward to having her in the team.”

In her early career, Lawrie spent four years working on corporate communications for Boots. Prior to that she was public affairs director at Midland Main Line.

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