Philip Clarke just left Tesco – again
Eh up. Anyone got a sense of deja vu?
Tesco has announced chief executive Philip Clarke had decided to step down, retiring after 40 years in the job.
The revelation left supermarket-watchers confused – surely Clarke has already departed, to be replaced by former Unilever man "call me Dave" Lewis?
Clarke left the supermarket under a cloud last year following a series of profit warnings. Embarrassingly, the announcement of his departure came one day before he was due to celebrate his 40th anniversary at the supermarket with a lavish party.
But it turns out the Philip Clarke in question is Philip J Clarke, the chief executive of Tesco's Irish business – no relation to the other Clarke – who will be replaced Andrew Yaxley, currently the managing director of Tesco's London business.
Lewis, who is still definitely the supermarket's chief executive, said Clarke number two has "worked tirelessly to make Tesco Ireland a stronger business… despite challenging market circumstances".
Yaxley starts his new job next month. We're pleased to report that so far, there aren't any disgraced former Tesco execs he can be confused with.