Mervyn Davies is stepping down as a non-executive director of Tesco. He has resigned due to potential conflicts of interest as the supermarket increases its financial services in similar areas to Standard Chartered Bank, where Davies is chairman.

Paul Butlin, managing ­director of Mack Wholesale, has joined the board of ­directors at fresh produce giant Fresca. Butlin has worked for Mack, a division of Fresca, for 23 years, overseeing operations in Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Newquay, Southampton and Wolverhampton.

Matt Barwell, marketing and innovation director for Africa at Diageo, has been made European marketing and innovation director. He replaces Andy Fennell, who has been appointed chief marketing officer following a reshuffle of the drinks ­giant’s executive committee.

Cleaning and laundry specialist Acdoco has appointed former Silentnight Beds brand manager Steven Simpson to the post of senior brand manager to head the marketing strategy for the recently relaunched Dr Beckmann brand. He will be responsible for developing and driving the brand.

Wine importer D&D Wines International has ­appointed Simon Dover as its new business manager. Dover joins D&D from Brown Brothers, where he managed all the major UK ­multiple grocers and key convenience accounts.

Eric J Foss, chief executive of the Pepsi Bottling Group, has taken on the role of chairman as well. Foss has been CEO of Pepsi Bottling Group for two years and previously worked for PepsiCo for 25 years.

Former Ofcom chief ­executive Stephen Carter has been named a junior minister for communications, technology and broadcasting in the House of Lords as part of the Cabinet reshuffle.

Steve Lucas started in his role as sales director for Londis this week. He joins Musgrave Retail Partners GB from Camelot Group where he was sales and customer director for seven years. He has also worked for Häagen-Dazs and Sainsbury’s.