Patrick Cescau exits Tesco board in clear-out – to be replaced by Richard Cousins
Patrick Cescau, the senior non-executive Tesco director who led the search for the supermarket's new chairman, is leaving the firm's board, confirming speculation of his departure.
Cescau's departure comes after six years with the retailer – it was widely believed he would depart after a new chairman was named to clear the way for a new top team to work with chief executive Dave Lewis.
Compass chief executive Richard Cousins, who joined the Tesco board last year and who had been linked with the role of chairman, will step up to fill Cescau's shoes from 7 April, as well as joining the nominations committee.
"On behalf of the board, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Patrick for his immense contribution to the business over the past six years, and I wish him well in his future ventures. We will be sorry to see him leave," said newly installed chairman John Allan
Since announcing a profit black hole last year, Tesco's board has had a string of departures. Most recently Gareth Bullock, Jacqueline Tammenoms Bakker and Liv Garfield have all departed the main Tesco board in recent weeks.