Charles Wilson is stepping down from the Tesco company board after being diagnosed with throat cancer.
He will remain on Tesco’s executive committee and will focus on leading the Booker business, reporting to Tesco’s overall chief executive, Dave Lewis.
Wilson became Tesco’s UK chief executive following the supermarket’s £3.7bn takeover of Booker in March.
He has reportedly responded well to treatment and all the signs are that it has been successful. But, Wilson needs to “remain vigilant in his recuperation”.
Jason Tarry, currently the group’s chief product officer, will become the chief executive of Tesco UK. All changes take effect on 16 July.
“Following an operation to remove his tonsils in April of this year, Charles Wilson was diagnosed with throat cancer,” Tesco said in a statement.
“During May and June, he has been undergoing daily radiotherapy.”
