Cancer-hit Tesco chief retreats

TESCO’S UK chief Charles Wilson is stepping down after being diagnosed with throat cancer.

Wilson, who ran wholesaler Booker Group before its £3.7billion takeover by Tesco earlier this year, had been tipped to succeed chief executive Dave Lewis.

Tesco said he was diagnosed after having his tonsils out in April. He has responded well to treatment but needs to “remain vigilant in his recuperation”.

Wilson will focus on the Booker business and chief product officer Jason Tarry will take over as UK chief executive next week.

Shore Capital analyst Clive Black said: “We would have expected Mr Wilson to have been a prime candidate, should he have wanted [Lewis’s job].”