UK chief executive, Tesco

Richard Brasher UK Chief Executive Tesco

Richard Brasher has thundered up the Power List this year having earned a promotion to chief executive of the UK business under new group chief executive Phil Clarke.

A Tesco veteran, Brasher himself was in the running to take over from Sir Terry Leahy, who stood down in March, but was pipped to the post by Clarke. His sweetener was to take over the running of Tesco’s powerhouse - the UK chain - as Clarke focuses on a group-wide role.

Brasher knows the UK business inside out, having spent time in departments such as trading and marketing. But he takes up this new role at a difficult time. When Clarke took to the stage for his first results update he admitted the UK performance was “below par”. He said non-food in particular had lost its way and that the UK needed to overhaul ranges, innovation and grow the online non-food offer.

Brasher has, therefore, a lot on his plate - getting the UK arm back on form while at the same time competing in a sluggish market. Having ended up with egg on its face earlier this year when Tesco tried to launch an offensive against Asda’s price guarantee, the grocer needs to get back to leading in innovation. And if Brasher succeeds, he will become Clarke’s top dog.