Tesco UK boss Wilson diagnosed with cancer, steps down

Wilson, who was appointed as the grocer’s UK and Republic of Ireland boss in March following Tesco’s £3.7bn acquisition of Booker, has been responding well to daily radiotherapy since his diagnosis.

Although the grocer has said that “all signs are that the treatment has been successful”, Wilson will be stepping down from his role in order to “remain vigilant in his recuperation”.

He will step down from Tesco’s board but remain on its executive committee. In this role Wilson will “focus on leading the Booker business, continuing to deliver the cost synergies and driving the growth agenda set out in the merger agreement”.

Wilson, who held the role of Booker chief executive since 2005 and was a key player in its acquisition by Tesco, will continue to contribute to the supermarket giant’s broader UK strategy and report to Dave Lewis.

He will be succeeded by the grocer’s group chief product officer Jason Tarry, whose current role will be filled by Tesco’s Ireland chief executive Andrew Yaxley.

Yaxley will join the Tesco executive committee and both he and Tarry will report to Lewis in their respective new roles.