Tesco clothing boss Richard Jones has left the retailer and is understood to be taking up a role with Irish supermarket Dunnes.

Jones is to be replaced by Jill Easterbrook, head of Tesco’s online clothing operation.

Jones joined Tesco over two years ago in a controversial move from rival Sainsbury’s. He had been working to bring the clothing offer back to its core customers after it had moved towards a younger market, and launched a revamped advertising campaign.

Tesco’s new boss Philip Clarke had also said previously that non-food, including clothing, had suffered disappointing sales.

A Tesco spokesperson told the Financial Times: “We are pleased to announce that Jill Easterbrook has been appointed as UK and Republic of Ireland clothing director to lead the clothing agenda both in store and online. Jill will be replacing Richard Jones who after two years in the business has decided to leave Tesco.”