Four scandal-linked Tesco directors leave

One suspended executive, Matt Simister, returns to his previous role as director of food sourcing

(Getty Images)

Four of the eight directors suspended by Tesco are leaving the group in the biggest shake-up by new chief executive Dave Lewis since the uncovering of a £263m accountancy scandal.

UK managing director Chris Bush, seen as a protégé of the former chief executive, Phil Clarke, was the most high profile dismissal, although the company refused to reveal whether he resigned or was sacked. Mr Bush did not return calls.

The UK finance director Carl Rogberg, group commercial director Kevin Grace and UK commercial director John Scouler have also left, with a raft of senior changes also announced.

One suspended executive, Matt Simister, returns to his previous role as director of food sourcing, having been cleared of any wrongdoing over the scandal.

Elsewhere, Jill Easterbrook will lead the “business transformation programme” and will be replaced by Robin Terrell as head of customers. Mr Terrell was previously interim UK boss, and Mr Lewis will now take on day-to-day running of the UK business.

Jason Tarry replaces both Mr Grace and Mr Scouler as commercial director for both UK and group, having covered their jobs on an interim basis during their suspensions.

It is understood buyers Dan Jago, William Linnane and Sean McCurley remain suspended.

The £263m black hole uncovered by a whistleblower in the finance department involved the booking of supplier payments into the wrong accounting period. It has led to a Serious Fraud Office investigation and the freezing of multimillion-pound payments to Mr Clarke and the former finance director, Laurie McIlwee.