Colin Holmes, Tesco’s fresh food commercial director, is to leave the business, the first high-profile loss to the retailer since the news Sir Terry Leahy is to retire as chief executive next March.

Holmes has been with Tesco for 22 years. The company said he was leaving to build “a portfolio of business roles later in the year.”

UK media reports have speculated that Holmes had been offered a bigger role at Tesco, but the retail group refused to be drawn when asked about this by just-food today (11 June).

Holmes joined Tesco as part of its finance division and, following a number of different roles, became the UK finance director.

Having moved into store operations in 2000, Holmes led the acquisition of TNS stores and the conversion of 450 of the outlets to become Tesco Express. Following the acquisition, he became the chief executive of convenience store operations.

Holmes’ most recent role with the business has been as the fresh food commercial director.

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