Name: John Browett

Was: Operations development director for Tesco

Now: Senior vice president for retail for Apple

Years in grocery: nine

Career background: Browett started his career at investment bank Kleinwort Benson before moving on to America’s Wharton business school to study for an MBA. He then moved into management consulting with Boston Consulting Group before joining Tesco as group strategy director in October 1998. Over the next nine years he held a number of senior roles at the retailer, including CEO of Tesco. com and operations development director. In June 2007 he joined Dixons owner DSG International as group CEO.

What is he doing now? In January, Browett was named as the new senior vice president of retail for Apple. He takes up the role, based in California, later this month. When he was handed the role, his new boss Apple CEO Tim Cook, said: “Our retail stores are all about customer service and John shares that commitment like no one else. We are thrilled to have him join our team and bring his incredible retail experience to Apple.”

Biggest achievement in grocery: Browett led Tesco.com between April 2000 and January 2004 and is credited with growing the site from a fledgling online business to a major player in the market.

What does the future hold? California! In his new role, he’ll be responsible for Apple’s retail strategy and the continued expansion of Apple retail stores around the world. It currently has 361 stores. And he’s looking forward to it: “The opportunity ahead of me is an exciting one,” he said when he took on the role. 

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