Tesco’s Indian partner Trent has hired former House of Fraser executive Richard Wayment as its chief retail operations officer as the UK giant steps up its presence in the Asian nation.

Wayment, who reports to Trent chief executive Philip Auld, took up the role in January.

He joined from healthcare organisation Nuffield Health where he was chief operating officer for consumer wellbeing. Wayment was with House of Fraser from 2001 to 2012 and was latterly executive director for retail operations.

In December, it emerged Tesco is to invest $110m in a 50% stake in Trent Hypermarket, a subsidiary of steel giant Tata Group, which runs the Star Bazaar chain in partnership with Tesco.

Tesco is the first international grocer to receive approval to invest in India since the government decided to open up the grocery sector last year.