Richard Jones

Jones has been at Tesco since 2008 as commercial director for non-food since defecting from Sainsbury’s but this year also took over responsibility for clothing from former clothing chief Terry Green. At Sainsbury’s Jones was credited with putting non-food on the map, and while he has kept a low profile at Tesco, he has helped it report non-food sales up 6.2% to £13.1bn, with £9bn in the UK and £4.1bn internationally in the year to February 27.

In clothing, Tesco has launched its online offer in the past year and has ambitions to make F&F the biggest clothing brand globally in five years.

Jones is tasked with a key part of Tesco’s global growth plans and is thought to be both a tough negotiator and have a strong understanding of the customer. He will also be charged with keeping rival Asda at bay, as the Walmart-owned grocer has set out its plans to become number one in non-food in the UK within five years.