Following weeks of speculation, Tesco has confirmed that its commercial and trading director Richard Brasher will succeed Tim Mason as the retailer’s director of UK marketing.
Analysts put Brasher’s name straight to the top of a list of possible candidates as soon as Tesco said that Mason, its property and marketing director, would move to the US this year to head its c-store venture.
Many have even tipped Brasher as an eventual successor to Tesco’s chief executive officer Sir Terry
Leahy.
Tesco said that Mason would continue to oversee the development of its group marketing while Brasher would add responsibility for UK marketing to his role as group commercial director.
Brasher took up the role of commercial and trading director in March 2004, replacing John Gildersleeve. He was formerly head of non food commercial activities. He joined in 1983 from Ranks Hovis McDougall.
Brasher’s appointment completes the distribution of Mason’s responsibilities.
Tesco Ireland’s CEO Gordon Fryett has been appointed the head of its property activities in the UK and Ireland.
A spokesman said Fryett’s new role was a “significant part of Mason’s responsibilities”.
Andrew Higginson, group finance and strategy director and chairman of Tesco Personal Finance, will add retailing services to his responsibilities.
Tesco’s clothing buying director Julia Reynolds has been transferred to the retailer’s Central European operations as buying and merchandising director.

Harrods has appointed Rene Dietsche as director of its foodhalls and restaurants. Dietsche replaces Didier Souillat who has joined designer and discount fashion outlet McArthurGlen in the newly created role of food and restaurant director. Souillat was the creator of Harrods’ convenience format Harrods 102 which opened last week.
>>p36 Harrods 102

Dairy group First Milk has appointed Eric Sanderson as a non-executive director. Sanderson is non-executive chairman of property company Marylebone Warwick Balfour Group. He replaces Andrew Young who chairs Arena Coventry, owner of Coventry City’s new stadium.
Beth Brooks
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