Tesco announces new Irish operations chief as Natasha Adams moves to new role
Supermarket giant Tesco has announced that Geoff Byrne will lead its management team in Ireland after existing Ireland and Northern Ireland chief executive Natasha Adams moves to a new role.
Mr Byrne, who lives in Co Wicklow, has been Tesco Ireland's chief operating officer since 2014, and has worked for Tesco for over 30 years. Tesco Ireland has 183 stores nationwide, employing more than 13,500 people. Tesco is the single largest retail buyer of Irish food and drink in the world, buying €1.6bn a year.
Tesco Group chief executive Ken Murphy - who himself hails from Cork - said Mr Byrne "knows our business better than anyone. "Geoff takes over a business with strong momentum, and I believe his deep understanding of our customers together with his extensive retail experience, will help us build further growth in Ireland,' said Mr Murphy.
"I have spent my entire career in Tesco. I love this business, and I am so proud to now have an opportunity to lead it. I'm really excited about the opportunities ahead," said Mr Byrne, who takes up his new role next month. He will also join Tesco Group's executive committee.
Ms Adams will take up a newly created role of group strategy and transformation officer on Tesco's executive committee, after three years as Irish CEO.
Meanwhile, Tesco's UK boss Matthew Barnes has stepped down after 15 months in the role. Mr Barnes was viewed by some analysts as a possible successor to Mr Murphy as group chief executive.
Tesco shares are up 22% over the last year. However, the supermarket giant cautioned its profit is likely to fall this year as it set aside cash to deal with "competitive intensity".
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