Successor Philip Clarke ‘cut from the same cloth’ as fellow Liverpudlian Sir Terry Leahy

Clarke, a Liverpudlian like his predecessor, first joined Tesco as a shelf stacker in 1974 while he was at school. Then, after leaving Liverpool University, he rejoined as a graduate trainee, moved through the ranks and is now international and IT director.

While he has been out of the limelight for the past six years developing the international business, Tesco chairman David Reid said his “wide experience of the UK and international singled him out, as well as his drive and energy”.

Clarke, 50, is understood to have won a closely fought contest internally for the role. While some commentators thought that Tesco would skip a generation when appointing its next chief executive, as Leahy was 40 when he took over, Leahy said: “I doubt someone of my age when I started would now have the experience to run such a big company.”

Credit Suisse analyst Andrew Kasoulis pointed out that Clarke still has up to 10 years as chief executive “and that’s longer than most stints”. Evolution Securities analyst Dave McCarthy said: “Phil was the front-runner for the job and has proved himself more than capable in many areas. He’s ambitious, driven, has an eye for detail and is a good choice, but has a very tough act to follow.”

One former Tesco director said Clarke is “cut from the same cloth” as Leahy in that “he is typical Tesco style”. He said: “He’s aggressive and tough but he’s more of a down and dirty retailer rather than a big intellect like Leahy.” Another former colleague said Clarke “doesn’t suffer fools gladly” but is more sociable than Leahy, and more of an operator.

Clarke, a married father of two who supports Liverpool - unlike Leahy who is an Everton fan - is an “excellent successor”, said Shore Capital analyst Clive Black, adding: “Leahy’s “intellect, insights, vision and experience will be missed.”

Philip Clarke CV

• Becomes chief executive in March 2011, currently international and IT director
• Started atTesco in 1974
• when he was at school
• Read economics at Liverpool University, then rejoined Tesco and worked as a store manager, buyer and marketer
• Joined the board 12 years ago with responsibility for supply chain, then IT a year later
• In January 2004 he took over international and retained IT
• Likes horse riding and sailing