Some are waiting for him in the administration

Terry Leahy, the iconic British distributor Tesco boss and one of the most respected businessmen in Britain, will take his reverence after fourteen years at the head of the group, making it number one on its domestic market and number four world.

As is tradition at this retailer known to manage transitions to his head, he will be replaced by a candidate internally, Philip Clarke, the current pattern of international operations. Originally from Liverpool as Terry Leahy and made his career at Tesco, Philip Clarke will be only the sixth boss of the Group since its foundation in 1919.

Chose to dispense of a headhunter, the supermarket chain that capitalizes approximately 32 billion pounds on the London Stock Exchange has managed to avoid any leakage or any voltage internal, at least visible from the outside. It is possible that the two other potential candidates are now vulnerable to the temptations of the outside. The company has chosen to offer promotions to keep them on board.

The departure of Terry Leahy is a surprise, which was also displeased at the City since the title Tesco fell by 2.7 in markets, it is true, very chahutés. Its internal retirement plan was indeed structured so that investors expect what remains until 2014. One who was marketing director before becoming boss therefore will retire in March, 2011, at the age of fifty-five years.

Back in the administration

Conversion proposals should not be missed. Some are waiting for him in the administration. This is not a secret that he is interested in the system of health and education of the country.

Terry Leahy, paid 5.1 million pounds off retirement in 2008-2009, is considered one of the best distributors of his generation. It is through him that Tesco over Sainsbury instead of number one on the very competitive British market. Under his Cup, the Group has diversified to the plastijo and international, which represents 30 of its results before tax. He also became for many distributors around the world a kind of model, that somehow the "quarter of an hour in advance" which still boasted the great French distribution at the end of the 20th century.

During the fiscal year ending in February 2010, sales of Tesco have been near the 57 billion, or almost 4 times more than in 1997-1998, and the profit before tax reached 3.14 billion, against 750 million then. During the tenure of Terry Leahy, Tesco capitalization has also quadrupled.

However, the group, which is the point on its activity next week, is not insensitive to the economic context. He faces a difficult market, its American subsidiary which develops Fresh & Easy California supermarkets still losing money and its development in Asia is promising, but is expensive in investments. Philip Clarke, is a new generation which arrives at the head of the British distributors and the transitions are far from being always as fresh as in Tesco.

Andy Clarke, the number two of Asda, has replaced Andy Bond at the head of the subsidiary of us giant Wal-Mart. Marc Bolland, him, take the controls of Marks & Spencer and VM Morrison, from which it came, appointed to replace Dalton Philips, an Irish Canadian distributor Loblaw operational pattern so far.