Booker boss will be Tesco’s UK chief

Booker boss Charles Wilson will head up Tesco’s UK business following the supermarket’s £3.7 billion takeover of the wholesaler.

The appointment of Mr Wilson will see current UK and Ireland boss Matt Davies, who joined Tesco in 2015, leave the group in April after a handover period.

Tesco group chief executive Dave Lewis said: “I am delighted Charles will be joining the Tesco board and executive committee.

“He brings substantial commercial and retail experience and has an exceptional track record of increasing performance and driving growth in customer-focused businesses.

“Charles is ideally suited to lead the UK and ROI business for the combined group in the next phase of our turnaround.”

The retail veteran will receive a base salary of £575,000 per year and an annual bonus opportunity of up to 200% of that sum, as well as an annual performance share plan opportunity of up to 225% of his pay.

Mr Wilson began his career in 1986 with Procter & Gamble, after which he held roles at OC&C Abberton Associates.

In 1998 he became an executive director at Booker before taking the top job in 2005.

In December, Tesco got the green light from the competition watchdog for its takeover of Booker.

Tesco has more than 3,000 stores across the UK, while Booker is the country’s largest wholesaler.

Tesco also said yesterday that the group’s trading performance was in line with expectations and it expects to deliver “at least” £1.57 billion in operating profit for the full year. Strategy and

Charles Wilson.