Steve Back steps down
Levi's Europe president Paul Mason is leaving to become chief executive of Somerfield.

The former Asda executive announced his decision to quit the US jeans giant yesterday and will start at Somerfield in March.

Steve Back has resigned as chief executive of the company with immediate effect. In the interim, chairman John Lovering will assume the role of executive chairman.

Lovering said: 'I believe our success in attracting such a talented individual reflects our determination to position Somerfield as the UK's leading convenience and market town store operator. The appointment will help us realise the true potential in this business, following its acquisition by the Violet consortium.

'I would also like to thank Steve Back for his contribution to the business over the past three and a half years. In particular, he has done a great job of leading the business through the transition from a public to private company, and we wish him very well for the future.'

The UK's fifth-largest grocer went private in October last year, after accepting a 197p a share bid from a consortium led by tycoon Robert Tchenguiz.

Mason, who is said to have earned£2.5 million last year, is based at the headquarters of Levi's Europe in Belgium and will leave the company in February to return to the UK.