Tesco has promoted its IT director for the UK Mike McNamara to the role of operations director.

McNamara will be responsible for creating better links between store, depot and back office operations. He takes over from John Browett, who was appointed as the group chief executive of DSG International in June.

"He has all the credentials. Not only has he got the IT background, he's got the operational development stuff, " said a company insider who also shed light on the departure of Tesco Direct chief executive Steve Robinson.

Robinson will leave the company in three weeks to pursue private equity opportunities, he revealed, dismissing reports that Tesco had been unhappy with glitches to the non-food home delivery business. Over the past six months the business had performed strongly, said the source.