Tesco has promoted from within for the new boss of its Republic of Ireland business and for the first time they will also be a member of the grocer’s executive team.

Retail Week can reveal that chief people officer Natasha Adams will be the next chief executive of the grocer’s Irish business after Kari Daniels steps down in April. 

Natasha Adams

Natasha Adams

In a strategic shakeup to its senior team, the role will also be part of Tesco’s executive committee, reporting directly to group chief executive Ken Murphy. 

Adams is Irish-born and will be relocating to the country when she takes up her new role in the spring. She has been with the business for more than 24 years working across the HR and people function.

Tesco said Daniels would be stepping down “after a varied and hugely successful career” at the grocer to “take some time out before deciding what she wants to do next”. 

“The Tesco Ireland team have taken the business from strength to strength, navigating through the pandemic and strengthening our value proposition with the recent launch of Aldi Price Match,” said Murphy.

“The team has grown our ability to serve customers, however, wherever and whenever they want to be served, through our market-leading online business and in our 151 stores nationwide. All this and more has helped to drive strong online performance and sales growth on a two-year basis and sustained share growth in the market.”

In an internal email seen by Retail Week, Murphy confirmed that Adams will be replaced in her chief people officer role by Emma Taylor.

Taylor has been with the business since joining as a graduate in 2001 and is currently people director. 

“I have no doubt that Emma will do a fantastic job in steering our people agenda forward to ensure we continue to attract and retain the very best talent in our industry, and I’m delighted to welcome her to the Executive Committee,” said Murphy.