Tesco's Brasher set for Africa move

Richard Brasher, the former UK chief executive of Tesco, is on the verge of taking a senior role at a major retailer in South Africa.

The Tesco veteran, who left the grocery giant in March, is thought to be joining Pick n Pay, which is one of Africa's largest retailers in food and general merchandise with 775 stores.

Mr Brasher is thought to want to make a fresh start in South Africa after his high-profile exit from Tesco, following a disagreement over strategy with the supermarket chain's chief executive, Philip Clarke.

A Pick n Pay spokesman said: "We have not signed any senior appointment with anyone at all," but declined to comment on Mr Brasher.

Pick n Pay is currently looking for a new chief executive. Mr Brasher did not return calls.

Meanwhile, Tesco, which operates in 13 countries, is today set to post a 11.7 per cent fall in group pre-tax profits to £1.52bn over the half-year to 25 August.