Matthew Barnes will depart from the business on 30 June 2025, with current Tesco Group chief commercial officer Ashwin Prasad confirmed as his replacement.
Barnes has taken the decision after just over a year in the role, with Tesco describing his legacy as built on “operational improvements which have simplified and strengthened” the business.
Prasad has been a member of the Tesco executive team since 2020, as has been responsible for the group’s product and customer strategy as CCO.
Tesco has also announced that current Tesco Ireland & NI CEO, Natasha Adams, has been appointed to the newly created role of chief strategy and transformation officer.
Effective from 9 June, Adams will sit on the executive committee moving forward, with Geoff Byrne stepping up as Tesco Ireland & NI CEO in her stead. Byrne is currently the chief operating officer in Ireland.
All roles included in the announcement will report to Tesco Group CEO Ken Murphy. Commenting on the departure of Barnes, Murphy said: “Matthew leaves with our respect and sincere thanks for his contribution. Under his leadership, our business has gone from strength to strength. His obsession with customers has made a big impact and we are winning in the market by offering customers unbeatable value. We wish him the very best in his next chapter.”
Murphy then went on to speak about the new appointments announced across the group.
“Ashwin is an exceptional leader with a strong track record for delivering for our customers,” he continued.
“His experience leading our product and customer strategy makes him the ideal person to take over as UK CEO.
“We are pleased to be making strong progress against our growth ambitions, and the newly created role of chief strategy and transformation officer will set us up even better to continue winning in the future. I am delighted to appoint Natasha, one of our most experienced and capable leaders, into this role.”
Barnes described leading Tesco’s UK business as a privilege while explaining his decision to “pursue other opportunities”.
Meanwhile, Prasad said he was taking the reigns of a business with strong momentum: “I am privileged to be appointed UK CEO and my priority will be to continue offering our customers an unbeatable experience, every time they shop with Tesco. I would also like to thank Matthew for his support and wish him well for the future.”
According to Kantar data, Tesco is the UK’s largest grocer with a market share of more than 27%.
